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DEMOCRACTand 
THE  CHUKCH 


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F  AvAGAR 


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■A'i 


Democracy  and  the  Church 


Democracy  and  the 
Church 


21 


By 
F.   A.   AGAR 

Author  of  '*Dead  or  Alive,'*  **Help  Those 
Women  !  "  etc. 


New  York  Chicago 

Fleming   H.  Revell  Company 

London  and  Edinburgh 


Copyright,  1919,  by 
FLEMING  H.  REVELL  COMPANY 


New  York :  1 58  Fifth  Avenue 
Chicago :  1 7  North  Wabash  Ave. 
London  :  2 1  Paternoster  Square 
Edinburgh :       75     Princes     Street 


Preface 

DEMOCRACY  is  paramount  in  the 
minds  of  the  people  of  this  generation. 
The  spirit  of  democracy  is  hke  the  star 
in  the  West  which  drew  towards  it  the  Wise  Men 
of  the  East.  The  wise  and  good  men  of  all  the 
world  are  turning  with  courage  and  hope  towards 
true  democracy. 

The  need  of  the  world  for  peace  and  justice, 
for  progress  and  prosperity,  can  only  be  met  as 
the  principles  of  democracy  govern  nations  and 
people.  Therefore,  other  forms  of  government 
are  giving  place  to  democracy. 

Herein  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  finds  re- 
ward and  encouragement,  for  true  Christianity 
has  ever  been  the  opponent  of  autocracy  and  the 
exponent  of  democracy.  The  only  hope  fur 
democratic  principles  to  rule  in  the  world  is 
found  in  the  Hfe  and  teaching  of  Jesus  Christ. 

This  study  has  been  made  for  the  purpose  of 
assisting  Christian  democracy  in  making  a  self- 
examination  which  will  enable  it  to  occupy  in 
the  immediate  future  the  place  of  inllueuce  and 
5 


6  PEEFACE 

power  that  must  be  filled  by  the  great  institution 
called  the  Church. 

If  democracy  is  to  fill  the  world  with  hope, 
peace,  justice,  and  progress,  the  Church  of  Jesus 
Christ  must  take  her  place  of  leadership  and  reveal 
to  all  men  the  powers  and  wonders  produced 
within  her  fellowship  by  the  fundamental  spirit 
and  governing  principles  of  a  Christian  democ- 
racy. 

The  spirit  and  teachings  of  Jesus  are  in  truth 
the  aims  and  purposes  of  a  true  democracy. 
There  is  hope  for  democracy  in  the  world  in 
proportion  as  these  animate  and  control  the 
membership  of  His  Church.     No  more,  no  less. 

If  this  book  helps  inaugurate  the  great  Chris- 
tian democracy  to  achieve  its  purpose,  the  grati- 
tude of  the  author  will  be  shared  by  several  of 
his  friends  who  have  been  of  great  help  in  the 
preparation  of  the  material  herein  contained. 

F.  A.  A. 

New  Tork, 


Contents 

I.  The  Ideal  Democracy     ...  6 

II.  Democracy  and  Efficiency     .        .  31 

III.  Democracy  and  Inefficiency  .        .  52 
W.    Democracy  and  Discipline      .        .  76 


ANALYSIS— CHAPTER  I 

THE  IDEAL  DEMOCRACY 

1.  Democracy  to-day. 

2.  A  world  safe  for  Democracy. 

3.  Democracy  made  safe  for  the  world. 

4.  The  Church  as  the  ideal  Democracy  : 
(i)  There  are  autocracies  in  religion. 

5.  Some  definitions  of  Democracy. 

6.  Four  definitions  of  Christian  Democracy. 

7.  Fourth    definition    applied    to    the    local   church 

should  produce  definite  results  : 
(i)  Surrendered  individualism. 

(2)  Interdependent  relationship. 

(3)  An  adequate  form  of  government. 

(4)  A  system  of  universal  education. 

(5)  A  missionary  dynamic  : 

(/2)  Five  reasons  why  this  is  vital. 

8.  This  ideal  Democracy  will  produce  : 
(i)  A  cooperating  individualism. 

(2)  A  voluntary  recognition  of  authority. 

(3)  A  regulated  people. 

(4)  An  educated  constituency. 

(5)  The  exercise  of  police  powers. 

9.  Results  summed  up  for  the  sake  of  emphasis. 
10.     When  a  Democracy  is  ideal. 


I 

THE  IDEAL  DEMOCRACY 

DEMOCRACY  is   the  battle-cry  of  the 
present  day  world.     It  is  at  once  the 
hope  and  the  desire  and  objective  of 
all  sane  and  normal  peoples  or  nations. 

A  World  Safe  for  Democracy 

To  make  the  world  safe  for  democracy  the 
loftiest  principles  and  greatest  powers  of  each  in- 
dividual and  nation  must  be  invested  in  the  work 
of  preparing  the  world  to  receive  it.  Even  with 
the  best  we  have  invested  in  this  cause,  it  will 
fail  unless  to  all  human  powers  is  added  the  di- 
vine power  which  lifts  mankind  out  of  itself  and 
enables  men  to  regard  their  neighbor  from  the 
Christian  point  of  view. 

We  are  our  brother's  keeper,  but  when  God's 
view-point  prevails  we  are  also  our  brother's 
brother,  and  when  this  comes  to  pass  the  ideal 
democracy  will  rule  safely  in  the  world. 

Democracy  Made  Safe  for  the  World 
It  has  also  been  well  said  that  democracy  must 
be  made  safe  for  the  world.     The  truth  of  that 
9 


10   DEMOCEACY  AND  THE  CHUKCH 

statement  was  evidenced  when  the  great  Russian 
people  broke  the  chains  of  autocracy  and  set  up 
a  form  of  democracy.  But  it  was  not  a  type  of 
democratic  government  that  was  safe  for  the 
people  who  established  it.  It  allowed  another 
nation  to  take  brutal  advantage  of  a  simple,  peace- 
loving  people  and  to  put  an  iron  ring  of  autoc- 
racy about  the  neck  of  that  misguided  people. 
An  unsafe  form  of  democracy  supervened  in 
place  of  the  genuine,  so  well  described  by  Presi- 
dent Lincoln  as  a  government  of  the  people,  by 
the  people,  for  the  people. 

Only  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ  incorporated 
with  the  principles  of  democratic  government 
can  make  democracy  safe  for  the  world. 

The  Church  as  the  Ideal  Democracy 

The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  was  instituted  in 
the  world  upon  the  true  principles  of  democracy. 
The  organization  was  designed  to  meet  the  im- 
mediate personal  needs  growing  out  of  human 
relationships  with  God  and  fellow  men. 

Beyond  the  Church,  national  governments  had 
been  projected.  But  the  founder  of  the  Church, 
though  He  was  the  Son  of  God  and  had  at  His 
disposal  omnipotent  powers,  yet  recognized 
human  government  for  Himself  and  paid  a  tax 
to  maintain  it.     Such  governments  depend  upon 


THE  IDEAL  DEMOCEACY  11 

human  relations  rightly  constituted  and  then 
righteously  maintained.  One  of  the  purposes  of 
His  teachings  was  to  establish  right  human  rela- 
tions and  to  maintain  them  in  righteousness. 
His  Church,  therefore,  should  reveal  the  fruits  of 
democracy,  for  if  it  cannot  succeed  in  the  Church, 
there  is  little  hope  for  its  success  anywhere.  The 
reason  for  this  last  statement  is  evident,  when  it 
is  remembered  that  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  is 
supposed  to  be  composed  of  people  who  have 
given  themselves  up  to  the  will  and  power  of 
God,  thus  changing  the  controlling  motives  of 
their  hves  and  actions.  They  are  supposed  to 
be  seeking  the  unselfish  path  of  service  in  Christ's 
name,  and  not  their  own  selfish  enjoyment  and 
enrichment.  If  democracy  cannot  succeed  in  the 
Church  with  its  self-selected  class,  it  is  logical 
and  practical  to  conclude  that  it  has  no  hope  of 
success  elsewhere.  The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ 
should  be  the  ideal  democracy,  the  pattern  for 
all  other  democracies  concerned  with  human  re- 
lations and  government. 

If  this  argument  seems  specious  and  ill-advised, 
it  must  be  remembered  that  the  Christian  ideal  is 
supposed  to  be  all  inclusive  and  should  make  its 
followers  more  competent  and  stronger  for  every 
phase  of  their  life-work  and  contacts  with  fellow 
men. 


12      DEMOOiiAOY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

There  Are  Autocracies  in  Religion 

We  must  not  be  blind  to  the  fact  that  to-day- 
there  are  reUgious  organizations  that  are  as  au- 
tocratic as  any  that  have  ever  marred  the  face  of 
the  world. 

Christianity  and  the  teachings  of  Christ  are 
not  always  identical  and  the  danger  to-day  is 
that  some  Christian  groups  in  their  intense  zeal 
and  close  organization  become  autocratic  in  their 
dealings  with  their  own  members  and  with  other 
organizations.  To  grow  and  acquire  power  at 
such  a  cost  is  to  pay  a  terribly  great  price.  It 
is  worse  than  a  calamity,  for  it  hampers  the 
progress  both  of  Christianity  and  democracy  in  a 
world  that  needs  both  of  them  more  than  it  needs 
either  of  them  singly.  The  world  cannot  use 
any  form  of  autocracy  even  when  it  comes  in  the 
guise  of  Christianity,  nor  can  it  long  use  de- 
mocracy when  it  lacks  Christianity,  because  in 
lacking  the  latter,  it  becomes  untrue  to  the  real 
principles  of  democracy. 

Some  Definitions  of  Democracy 

At  this  point  it  will  be  wise  to  define  de- 
mocracy. The  dictionary  gives  the  following 
definitions : 

I.     The    political    system    in   which    govern- 


THE  IDEAL  DEMOCRACY  13 

ment  is  directly  exercised  or  conlrolled 
by  the  people  collectively. 

2.  A  commonwealth  in  which  the  people  as 

a  whole  legislate  and  choose  executive 
and  judicial  officers,  either  directly  or 
through  elected  representatives. 

3.  Political  and  legal  equality,  a  state  of  so- 

ciety without  class  distinctions  made  or 
favored  by  law  or  custom. 


Four  Definitions  of  Christian  Democracy 

In  order  to  study  the  Church  as  a  democracy, 
let  us  now  turn  those  definitions  into  religious 
phraseology.     They  will  then  read  like  this  : 

1.  The  spiritual  brotherhood  in  which  gov- 

ernment is  directly  exercised  or  con- 
trolled by  the  people  collectively. 

2.  A  brotherhood  in  which  the  people  as  a 

whole  legislate  and  choose  executive 
and  ministering  officers,  either  directly 
or  through  elected  representatives. 

3.  Religious  and  fraternal  equality,  a  state  of 

spiritual  life  without  racial  or  class  dis- 
tinction made  or  favored  by  law  or 
custom. 

No  one  of  these  definitions,  however,  seems  to 
cover  the  actual  needs  of  the  case,  so  this  addi- 
tional one  is  presented. 


14   DEMOCKACY  AND  THE  CHUECH 

4.  A  Christian  democracy  is  a  brotherhood 
of  the  followers  of  Jesus  Christ  who  have 
voluntarily  associated  themselves  to- 
gether in  a  spirit  of  fraternity  and 
equality  for  the  purpose  of  nurture, 
culture  and  the  development  of  the 
same  spirit  of  brotherhood  throughout 
the  world. 

Fourth   Definition   Applied   to   the 

Local  Church  Should  Produce 

Definite  Results 

Applying  this  definition  to  a  local  church 
would  produce  some  definite  results.  An  ideal 
democracy  should  result  in  — 

Surrendered  Individualism. 

First  of  all  it  would  provide  for  the  voluntary 
surrender  of  the  individualistic  life  and  point  of 
view.  The  principle  of  voluntarism  is  essential 
here. 


Interdependent  Relationship. 

Its  acceptance  would  cause  the  installation  in 
the  daily  life  of  an  interdependent  relationship 
that  would  produce  action  of  a  marked  sort.  A 
great  apostle  expressed  this  result  well  when  he 
said/'  If  to  eat  meat  offend  my  brother  I  will  eat 
no  meat."  Again  it  is  expressed  in  the  words, 
"  We  are  members  one  of  another."     The  in- 


THE  IDEAL  DEMOCRACY  15 

terdependent  relationship  once  established  would 
lead  to  the  voluntary  surrender  of  individual  op- 
portunities and  powers  for  the  purpose  of  doing 
good  and  providing  safety  and  comfort  to  all 
others  in  the  association.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  individualistic  life  is  selfish.  It  does  not  con- 
cern itself  with  the  weak  or  less  fortunate,  but 
seeks  ample  scope  for  exploitation  of  others. 

There  are  churches  and  people  who  claim  the 
right  of  individualism.  The  right  is  granted  to 
them  without  argument,  but  the  practice  of  this 
privilege  is  impossible  under  present  conditions. 
Any  man  or  church  is  too  dependent  upon 
others  for  the  various  essentials  of  life  to  practice 
individuahsm.  In  the  face  of  this  fact,  to  affirm 
the  right  to  practice  individualism  or  independent 
action  is  an  evidence  of  a  lack  of  common  sense. 
We  are  all  interdependent  individuals  or  churches, 
because  with  good  sense  we  have  at  once  volun- 
tarily surrendered  this  right  of  individualism  for 
a  practice  that  conforms  to  the  will  of  God  and 
the  good  of  the  rest  of  the  human  race.  A  Chris- 
tian church,  if  it  is  true  to  its  divine  origin,  must 
be  interdependent  and,  therefore,  democratic  even 
to  the  point  of  self-surrender. 

An  Adequate  Form  of  Government. 

In  the  next  place,  the  definition  given  above 


16   DEMOCEACY  AND  THE  CHUKCH 

implies  that  a  form  of  government  must  be  es- 
tablished and  accepted  when  interdependency 
takes  the  place  of  individualism. 

Now  government,  of  necessity,  always  imposes 
restraints  upon  the  governed,  but  these  are  rec- 
ognized as  being  for  the  good  of  the  greatest 
number  and  hence  are  cheerfully  accepted  as 
soon  as  the  will  of  a  majority  has  expressed 
itself  in  what  is  called  a  law  or  statute.  In  the 
case  of  the  church  member,  the  Christian  life 
was  begun  when  the  individual  gave  up  his  own 
will  and  way  for  the  will  and  way  of  God.  In 
other  words,  he  submitted  to  be  governed  by  the 
will  of  God  and  then  by  the  will  of  all  his  fellow 
members  with  whom  he  voluntarily  associated 
himself. 

The  highest  type  of  people  do  not  govern 
their  actions  by  the  mandate  of  the  majority 
but  their  own  will  to  help  others  in  a  loving 
spirit  conquers  their  individual  desires  or  prefer- 
ences. They  are  controlled  by  the  spirit  of  love 
and  brotherhood  rather  than  by  law.  To  do 
right  simply  through  fear  of  law  and  its  penal- 
ties is  to  be  wrong  in  spirit. 

Government  which  establishes  law  must  of 
necessity  provide  penalties  for  the  disregard  of 
that  law.  These  penalties  are  provided  in  no 
spirit   of  vengeance,   but   are   corrective   rather 


THE  IDEAL  DEMOOEACY  17 

than  punitive  in  all  their  application.     But  a  law 
without  a  penalty  is  a  farce. 

The  Church  as  an  ideal  democracy  must  have 
a  measure  of  surrendered  individualism.  This 
surrendered  individualism  in  its  interdependent 
relations  will  have  a  form  of  government  grow- 
ing out  of  the  expressed  will  of  the  majority. 
The  laws  accepted  by  those  people  thus  asso- 
ciated together  will  be  binding  so  long  as  the 
association  continues,  and  penalties  incurred  will 
voluntarily  be  met  by  the  delinquent.  There 
will  be  no  exemption  in  the  application  of  the 
laws,  no  favored  individuals  or  classes,  but  all 
alike  without  fear  or  favor  will  be  governed  by 
the  laws  made  for  that  purpose.  The  rules 
agreed  upon  by  the  church  will  accord  with 
God's  expressed  will  in  so  far  as  they  are  appli- 
cable to  the  conditions  and  objectives  in  the  lives 
of  the  people  who  are  voluntarily  associated 
together  in  that  church.  But  always  with  the 
normal  people  love  will  control  far  more  than 
law.  Having  once  united  with  the  body,  the 
rules  of  which  were  known  to  him  in  advance, 
subsequent  unwillingness  to  conform  to  these 
requirements  constitute  a  delinquency  which  is 
not  condoned  by  the  withdrawal  of  the  indi- 
vidual unless  a  conscious  change  of  view  has  led 
him  to  a  new  position.     If  his  desire  to  with- 


18  DEMOCEACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

draw  is  merely  rebellion  against  an  existing  law 
well  known  to  him,  he  becomes  a  rebel  and 
should  be  dealt  with  as  such. 

A  System  of  Universal  Education. 

The  definition  next  implies  that  in  the  church 
there  will  be  a  system  of  education  that  will  be 
so  thorough  as  to  produce  a  nurture  and  culture 
of  all  those  associated  together.  They  will  all  be 
cared  for  without  regard  to  impediments  to  these 
processes  of  nurture  and  culture  that  might  arise 
in  individual  cases.  The  will  of  the  majority  to 
institute  nurture  and  culture  for  the  whole  body 
would  be  recognized  in  the  life  of  all  so  long  as 
they  continued  in  the  association,  and  only  ca- 
pacity to  receive  would  Hmit  the  scope  of  the 
process  in  individual  cases. 

Nurture  and  culture  are  two  great  processes 
of  prime  importance  where  human  or  spiritual 
relations  are  concerned.  Out  of  those  two  proc- 
esses will  come  a  disciplined  life,  and  a  disci- 
plined life  is  the  distinguishing  mark  of  a  Hfe 
that  is  educated. 

The  power  of  a  Christian  democracy  rests  first 
of  all  upon  the  knowledge  which  every  member 
possesses  and  uses  of  the  way  and  the  will  of 
God.  It  is  no  kindness  to  allow  any  one  to  be- 
come   delinquent    in    any   phase,   whether   the 


THE  IDEAL  DEMOCRACY  19 

delinquency  is  caused  by  ignorance  on  the  part 
of  the  individual  or  by  failure  to  apply  training 
and  knowledge  to  the  individual.  In  either  case 
the  result  is  the  same,  and  the  injury  is  both  to 
the  one  and  the  whole. 

If  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  is  to  show  the 
world  the  ideal  democracy,  there  must  be  no 
failure  on  her  part  to  institute  nurture  and  cul- 
ture to  the  fullest  possible  extent  in  every  indi- 
vidual in  her  membership.  Any  weakness  in 
this  connection  will  be  a  betrayal  of  all  that  is 
high  and  holy.  On  the  other  hand,  there  will 
be  a  clear  recognition  that  all  are  not  of  equal 
endowment  or  capacity.  The  Gospel  gives  us 
ample  ground  for  the  recognition  of  different 
capacities  and  powers  as  between  individuals. 
For  instance,  we  are  told,  "  Give — as  God  has 
prospered  you."  "  As  much  as  lieth  in  you  live 
peaceably  with  all  men."  The  parable  of  the 
talents  is  another  divine  recognition  of  the  fallacy 
that  we  are  all  created  equal  in  human  endow- 
ments notwithstanding  all  men's  fundamental 
equality  in  the  sight  of  God.  Therefore,  up  to 
the  recognized  capacity  and  opportunity  of  the 
individual,  the  interdependent  relation  will  pro- 
vide a  uniform  training  and  education  for  all  its 
individual  members.  Any  attempt  to  evade  this 
fundamental   training  and  teaching  will  involve 


20      DEMOCRACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

the  further  obligation  in  love  or  in  law  to  use 
every  effort  to  correct  the  evasion  so  long  cis  the 
voluntary  association  is  binding.  This  is  at  once 
the  requirement  of  the  individual  who  has  volun- 
tarily associated  himself  as  well  as  being  the 
obligation  of  the  group  with  whom  the  individual 
has  become  associated.  It  is  a  true  democracy 
just  in  so  far  as  the  voluntary  association  pro- 
duces the  results  declared  to  be  the  purpose  of 
the  association.  To  the  extent  it  fails  to  pro- 
duce the  will  of  the  majority,  in  that  measure  it 
becomes  a  departure  from  a  democracy  and 
therefore  a  menace. 

The  definition  has  a  final  and  most  important 
result. 

A  Missionary  Dynamic, 

It  accords  a  complete  recognition  of  the  fact 
that  projection  is  the  one  great  purpose  outside 
of  the  nurture  and  culture  of  all  those  within  the 
association.  All  such  projection,  in  a  true  de- 
mocracy, must  be  in  a  spirit  of  pure  voluntarism 
on  the  part  of  all  who  project  the  purposes  of  the 
Church,  as  well  as  upon  the  part  of  all  who  accej)t 
the  advances  made  by  the  Church,  whether  they 
be  individuals  or  other  similar  associated  groups. 

No  projection  by  force  can  ever  hope  to 
succeed  permanently.     Force  is  no  weapon  to 


THE  IDEAL  DEMOCRACY  21 

use  in  pushing  the  ideals  of  democracy  into  the 
stronghold  of  autocracy.  No  true  democracy 
will  thrust  its  ideals  upon  others  by  means  of 
brute  strength  as  though  might  made  right,  but 
on  the  other  hand,  no  true  democracy  can  remain 
inactive  in  the  presence  of  incursions  by  brute 
force  or  assaults  upon  the  peaceful  and  peace- 
loving  people  of  their  number  by  those  who 
invade  for  lust  or  greed.  Our  Master  Himself, 
who  is  the  Prince  of  Peace,  repelled  with  force 
the  incursions  of  hate  and  greed  when  the  money 
lenders  invaded  the  sacred  precincts  of  the  house 
of  worship.  While,  therefore,  the  Christian 
Church  can  never  rightly  use  force  to  invade 
another  realm  for  selfish  purposes,  it  has  at  its 
command  a  power  of  compulsion  that  is  the 
most  wonderful  projecting  agent  in  all  the  world 
of  human  endeavor.  That  is  the  power  of  a 
compelling  love. 

The  marching  orders  of  the  Church  are,  ••  Go  )e 
into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature,"  and  to  that  command  we  may  add  the 
other  injunction  implied  in  the  teaching  of  a 
great  parable,  "  Go  and  compel  them  to  come 
in."  Therein  the  Christian  democracy  has  a 
world  mission.  Since  its  motive  power  is  love  it 
has  a  force  unlike  any  other. 

A  democracy  that  is  content  with  possessing 


22  DEMOCRACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

within  itself  what  it  beheves  to  be  the  best  in 
hfe,  without  any  concern  whether  or  not  others 
secure  hke  blessings,  is  not  only  condemned  by 
its  action,  but  will  lose  within  itself  that  best 
thing,  for  the  law  of  life  is  that  we  can  keep  only 
as  we  impart  to  others.  The  Church  will  be  able 
to  keep  its  fundamental  principles  and  powers 
only  by  using  them  for  the  betterment  of  all 
others.  Stagnation  and  loss  will  always  follow 
any  other  poHcy. 

Five  Reasons  Why  this  is  Vital. 

There  are  some  great  and  compelling  reasons 
why  the  Christian  democracy  must  constantly 
offer  to  all  others  whatever  it  possesses.  Love 
for  the  Founder  and  for  the  Father  is  the  first 
great  reason  for  a  spirit  of  missions  or  propaga- 
tion. Obedience  to  the  expressed  will  of  the 
leader  is  the  second  impelling  motive  for  a  con- 
stant effort  to  progress.  A  desire  to  give  others 
the  benefits  of  all  that  is  good,  noble  and  enlarg- 
ing is  the  third  reason.  The  need  of  the  people, 
and  finally  self-preservation,  are  the  concluding 
reasons  why  the  Church  and  the  individual  must 
peacefully,  but  powerfully,  project  itself  into  every 
available  area  of  the  world  where  people  are  to 
be  found.  True  democracy  can  never  grow  by 
forcible  annexation,  but  only  by  absorption  and 


THE  IDEAL  DEMOCKACY  23 

assimilation  of  those  who  recognize  the  good  in 
the  democracy  and  willingly  become  members 
of  the  voluntary  group. 

Any  element  in  a  democracy  that  is  not  con- 
tained therein  on  a  voluntary  and  cooperating 
basis  is  a  constant  indication  of  danger  and  is 
a  tendency  towards  a  spirit  of  autocracy.  The 
power  of  projection  rests  upon  the  fact  that  a 
church  or  Christian  democracy  is  an  association 
of  people  voluntarily  joined  together  for  the  pur- 
pose of  learning  and  then  doing  the  will  of  God 
their  Father.  This  merger  of  the  individual  on 
a  voluntary  basis  into  a  state  of  interdependence 
or  democracy  if  it  is  to  succeed  must  recognize 
the  right  of  the  associated  group  to  do  certain 
definite  things  for  the  good  of  the  whole,  even 
at  the  expense  of  limiting  individuals  in  some 
directions. 

This  Ideal  Democracy  Will  Produce 
A  Cooperating  Individualism 

In  a  true  democracy  there  can  be  no  such 
thing  as  absolute  independence. 

But  there  can  and  must  be  a  thoroughly  coop- 
erative individualism  which  produces  an  interde- 
pendence that  is  noble  and  sacrificial.  Every 
thought,  word,  or  deed  must  be  determined  by 
its  influence  upon  others.     Many  things  that  one 


24   DEMOCEACY  AND  THE  CHUECH 

could  do  without  any  injury  to  his  own  Hfe  must 
be  left  undone  because  they  might  injure  others. 
In  the  case  of  some  individuals  some  things 
might  be  left  undone  with  absolute  safety,  but 
if  omitted  by  others  would  cause  them  injury; 
therefore,  all  must  do  them.  In  a  democracy, 
the  good  of  the  whole  must  always  supersede 
the  individual  good.  The  ideal  democracy  must, 
therefore,  capitalize  interdependence  if  it  is  to 
succeed,  but  that  interdependence  must  first  be 
the  result  of  voluntary  surrender  on  the  part  of 
the  individual.  Let  me  again  reiterate,  that  to 
be  within  the  democracy  without  a  surrendered 
individuahsm  is  to  be  there  under  false  pretense. 
It  is  dishonest  and  shameful. 

A  Voluntary  Recognition  of  Authority. 

An  interdependent  relation  will  at  once  de- 
mand a  form  of  government  which  means  the 
recognition  of  authority. 

One  of  the  bulwarks  of  this  voluntary  sur- 
render on  the  part  of  the  individual  is  the  proper 
and  adequate  recognition  of  authority  centered 
in  a  form  of  government  which  is  controlled  by 
all  the  people  and  secures  for  the  whole,  justice, 
peace,  progress,  projection,  nurture,  and  culture. 

Because  the  will  of  the  majority  does  not  suit 
a  minority  is  no  ground  for  rebellion  on  the  part 


THE  IDEAL  DEMOCEACY  25 

of  any  minority,  but  cause  for  an  expression  of 
the  highest  form  of  democracy  to  be  shown  in 
cheerful  submission  to  the  properly  expressed 
will  of  the  majority.  Majorities  may  sometimes 
be  wrong  but  even  then  there  are  ways  and 
means  at  the  disposal  of  a  minority  that  will  not 
destroy  the  democracy.  Agitation  and  discus- 
sion are  very  different  from  anarchy. 

To  fulfill  its  character  as  the  ideal  democracy, 
the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  must  exhibit  a  high 
order  of  respect  for  constituted  authority,  both 
within  and  without  its  own  borders. 

A  Regulated  People. 

Government  or  authority  will  of  necessity  lead 
to  regulation  or  control.  In  a  democracy  all  the 
individual  units  are  not  equal  in  talents,  resources 
or  strength  of  character,  and  therefore,  the  Word 
of  God  and  the  statutes  of  human  democracy 
give  ample  authority  for  the  exercise  of  a  meas- 
ure of  control  and  regulation  over  the  conduct 
of  all,  whether  they  be  of  large  or  small  en- 
dowments. Without  this  regulation  or  control, 
proper  standards  of  hfe  and  conduct  are  impos- 
sible to  maintain.  To  allow  a  backward  or 
misguided  individual  to  destroy  himself  without 
any  intervention  on  the  part  of  the  whole  is  to 
condone  murder,  for  suicide  is  self-murder.     To 


26      DEMOCEACY  A^D  THE  CHURCH 

allow  an  uneducated  or  subnormal  individual  to 
continue  a  practice  that  would  injure  others, 
either  from  ignorance  or  from  choice,  is  an  un- 
thinkable thing.  The  will  of  all  the  people  must 
be  exercised  for  the  good  of  the  individuals 
making  up  the  democracy. 

An  Educated  Constituency ^ 

The  uneducated  individual  must  be  educated, 
or  if  that  is  not  possible,  then  he  must  be  regu- 
lated in  his  ignorance.  The  subnormal  must  be 
given  the  best  and  most  salutary  treatment  in 
order  to  safeguard  him  and  all  others.  So  it 
must  be  with  all  the  varied  expressions  of  the 
varied  individuals,  they  must  be  merged  in  their 
individualism  for  their  own  good  and  for  the 
good  of  all  the  others.  The  spiritual  life  is  the 
highest  expression  of  life  and,  therefore,  is  of 
the  greatest  importance.  To  say  piously  that 
there  must  be  no  regulation  after  a  voluntary 
submission  of  their  all  to  the  Christian  democ- 
racy is  to  put  a  premium  upon  the  inclusion  of 
an  autocracy  within  the  democracy.  That  is  in 
effect  like  including  a  stray  bomb  in  the  cargo 
of  a  ship ;  an  explosion  is  likely  to  occur  at  any 
moment. 

To  allow  a  subnormal  or  delinquent  to  depart 
from  the  democracy  once  he  has  given  himself 


THE  IDEAL  DEMOCRACY  27 

to  it  is  an  endorsement  of  autocracy  and  self- 
destruction  on  the  one  hand  and  an  abdication 
of  democratic  principles  on  the  other  hand.  The 
place  of  all  others  to  exercise  care  is  at  the  point 
of  entrance. 

The  Exercise  of  Police  Poivers. 

Jesus  Himself  recognized  the  police  powers  in 
the  government  under  which  He  lived  while  on 
earth  and  even  when  those  police  powers  were 
used  to  perpetrate  upon  Him  the  supreme  crime  of 
history  He  calmly  submitted, even  to  the  giving  up 
of  His  life.  If  in  spite  of  every  effort  on  the  part 
of  the  whole  body,  any  individual  continues  to  go 
contrary  to  the  will  of  the  whole,  then  either  one  of 
two  things  must  result,  corrective  punishment  or, 
as  was  the  case  with  Judas,  the  relations  of  the 
whole  with  such  a  persistent  offender  and  autocrat 
must  be  severed.  A  little  clear  analysis  will  at 
once  reveal  the  vast  difference  between  the  petu- 
lant or  disgruntled  departure  of  an  individual 
because  of  temporary  disagreement  with  the 
authorities  and  the  permanent  severing  of  the 
relations  between  the  democracy  and  the  in- 
dividual upon  the  initiative  of  the  whole.  In 
effect  it  is  like  a  capital  sentence  in  civil  life  and 
should  be  rarely  used.  In  i  John  2  :  19  wc  find 
the  writer   expressing   the   inevitable  result  of 


28   DEMOCEACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

such  a  case  when  he  wrote,  "  They  went  out 
from  us  but  they  were  not  of  us,  for  if  they  had 
been  of  us,  they  would  have  continued  with  us : 
but  they  went  out  that  they  might  be  made 
manifest  that  they  were  not  all  of  us." 

Results  Summed  Up  for  the  Sake  of  Emphasis 

Interdependence,  governmental  authority  and 
control  in  a  Christian  democracy  are  but  the 
varied  aspects  of  the  one  great  divine  democracy 
which  is  in  effect  the  government  of  the  people, 
by  the  people,  for  the  people,  in  order  to  ac- 
complish in  the  world  the  divine  ends  and  ob- 
jectives. 

Not  even  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  can  long 
survive  without  government.  Without  properly 
exercised  control,  the  interdependence  is  lost  and 
the  vagaries  of  unbridled  and  conflicting  inde- 
pendency give  rise  to  a  condition  of  anarchy,  or 
the  power  is  seized  by  a  sectarian  party  which 
assumes  control  with  all  its  malignant  autocracy. 

If  the  Church  is  to  lead  the  world  along  the 
path  of  democracy,  we  must  conclude  that  it  will 
exalt  to  its  proper  place  a  fitting  form  of  govern- 
ment in  order  that  all  its  members  may  fill  an 
adequate  place  in  the  world  and  Church. 

Furthermore  nurture  and  culture  must  be  uni- 
versal among  its  membership  in  order  to  achieve 


THE  IDEAL  DEMOCKACY  29 

unity  of  purpose.  The  untrained  or  insane  can- 
not act  together  in  any  happy  effective  way. 
Only  a  sane,  trained,  disciplined  body  of  people 
can  give  a  manifestation  of  unity  and  strength 
that  will  command  the  attention  and  admiration 
of  other  differing  or  antagonistic  bodies  or  in- 
dividuals. 

Lack  of  unity  in  doing  right  things  as  well  as 
lack  of  solidarity  in  divine  principles  is  the  result 
of  a  lack  of  nurture  and  culture  and  cannot  long 
be  permitted  to  continue. 

When  a  Democracy  is  Ideal 

A  democracy  is  ideal  only  in  so  far  as  it 
measures  its  interdependence  by  a  government 
which  produces  a  trained  and  disciplined  body 
of  people  for  the  unified  aims  of  all  the  indi- 
viduals voluntarily  associated  together  in  the 
group. 

We  must  next  attempt  to  show  how  far  the 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  has  met  with  success  and 
then  examine  wherein  it  has  failed  to  achieve 
this  goal  and  finally  examine  its  future  methods. 


ANALYSIS— CHAPTER  II 

DEMOCRACY  AND  EFFICIENCY 

1.  The  hope  of  Democracy. 

2.  History  and  the  Church  Autocracy. 

3.  The  real  objective. 

4.  Necessary  elements  to  promote  efficiency, 

(i)   Quality  of  soul. 

(2)  Unity. 

{a)  Christ  the  basis. 
(^)  A  trend  towards  it. 

(3)  Simplicity. 

(4)  Spirituality. 

(5)  Nurture  and  culture. 

(6)  Recognition  of  authority. 

(7)  The  methods  of  Christ. 

(8)  Universality  of  expectations. 

(9)  A  good  stewardship. 

(a)  Love  and  its  objective, 

5.  Present  signs  of  efficiency. 

(1)  The  Bible  School. 

(2)  Contingent  organizations. 

(3)  Finances. 

(4)  Democratized  worship. 

(5)  Educational  goals. 

(6)  Demand  for  trained  ministry. 

(7)  Business  assets. 

(8)  Humanized  spirituality. 

(9)  Care  of  ministry. 

(10)  Womanhood  recognized. 

(11)  Developed  manhood. 

6.  The  whole  and  its  parts. 


II 

DEMOCRACY  AND  EFFICIENCY 

THE  great  and  divine  statesman  has  said, 
"  For  all  the  law  is  fulfilled  in  one  word, 
even  in  this,  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neigh- 
bor as  thyself."  The  only  hope  of  bringing 
democracy  into  all  human  relations  both  secular 
and  religious  rests  upon  the  unifying  and  cleans- 
ing power  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  In  other 
words,  the  hope  of  bringing  democracy  into 
world,  national,  civic  and  individual  relations 
rests  upon  Christianity.  The  Church  is  an  or- 
ganized Christian  democracy  and  must  set  a 
worthy  example  to  the  world.  Its  power  in  this 
direction  will  lie  in  the  exemplification  of  the 
spirit  set  forth  in  the  declaration  ••  By  this  ye 
may  know  that  ye  have  passed  from  death  unto 
life  because  ye  love  the  brethren."  Love  will 
solve  all  the  problems  and  secure  efficiency  in 
any  democracy.  Without  it  the  Christian  de- 
mocracy must  fail. 

History  and  the  Church  Autocracy 
In  the  past  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  has  not 
31 


32   DEMOCRACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

been  the  most  efficient  instrument  in  projecting 
the  principles  of  democracy,  for  the  pages  of 
history  are  dotted  with  records  of  its  autocratic 
failures.  This  is  due  to  the  fact  that  men  have 
sought  to  make  use  of  a  divine  instrument  for 
human  ends.  The  Church  is  one  of  God's  in- 
struments for  implanting  the  divine  into  the  life 
and  every-day  activities  of  His  people  and  thence 
into  all  others.  Wherever  men  have  greedily 
sought  to  acquire  that  power  for  human  and 
selfish  ends  it  has  sooner  or  later  crushed  them 
in  the  resulting  catastrophe.  This  condition  was 
foreshadowed  by  the  experience  of  Jesus  who 
found  it  necessary  to  refuse  with  a  rebuke  the 
request  that  James  and  John  might  have  the 
chief  seats  on  either  side  of  the  Master  when  He 
came  to  His  throne.  We  read  also  of  the 
attempt  made  by  one  Simon  to  buy  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  for  pecuniary  ends  of  his 
own. 

The  Real  Objective 

Christian  democracy  must  produce  in  every 
member  divine  powers  and  graces  to  be  used  for 
Christlike  ends  in  accordance  with  the  will  of  God. 
Its  real  objective  is  the  creation  of  spiritual  power 
and  insight  so  that  men  shall  love  and  serve  each 
other  as  Christ  has  loved  and  served  us. 


DEMOCEACY  AND  EFFICIENCY       33 

Necessary  Elements  to  Promote 
Efficiency 

Let  us  just  now  consider  some  of  the  elements 
that  must  be  present  if  the  Christian  democracy 
is  to  be  truly  efficient. 

Quality  of  Soul. 

Efficiency  will  be  promoted  when  the  Church 
remembering  the  lesson  of  Gideon's  band  gives 
first  attention  to  the  generation  of  spiritual 
powers  rather  than  to  the  increase  of  numbers. 
A  genuine  democratic  spirit  will  always  sub- 
ordinate numbers  to  an  inherent  spirit  of  sacri- 
ficial service.  Not  quantity  of  individuals  but 
quality  of  soul  and  character  will  mark  the 
efficiency  of  the  organization.  Given  efficiency 
in  the  production  of  high  quality  of  spiritual  life 
and  ultimately  the  numerical  growth  will  be 
eminently  satisfactory.  A  low  type  of  character 
and  spiritual  responsiveness  will  in  the  end  doom 
any  democracy,  for  the  hope  of  democracy  must 
forever  rest  upon  a  thorough  nurture  and  culture 
which  imposes  adequate  standards  and  exalted 
character  upon  all  who  elect  to  follow  its  lead- 
ings. In  other  words  a  democracy  rests  upon 
surrendered  individualism  and  its  consequent 
actions  for  its  efficiency,  and  surrendered  indi- 


34   DEMOCRACY  AND  THE  CHUECH 

vidualism  is  the  result  of  the  neighbor  spirit 
spoken  of  by  Christ  which  has  its  foundation  in 
none  other  than  the  sacrificial  spirit  of  God  which 
leads  one  to  serve  another  as  he  would  serve  and 
love  himself.  This  precludes  the  possibility  of 
popularity  and  thereby  lessens  the  number  of 
t>3ose  who  will  accept  a  sacrificial  task  and  life. 

Unity. 

As  we  have  pointed  out  elsewhere  a  lack  of 
efficiency  is  the  result  of  a  loss  of  unity.  The 
past  has  seen  a  multiplicity  of  organizations  la 
large  areas  and  then  a  magnifying  of  groups 
within  the  local  church  till  the  original  unity 
contemplated  b)^  the  Founder  of  the  organization 
has  been  lost  in  the  clatter  and  confusion  of  the 
numerous  pieces  of  machinery  of  differing  or- 
ganizations. Men  apparently  have  forgotten 
that  a  spiritual  and  consequent  democratic 
efficiency  will  not  be  produced  by  multiplying 
organizations  that  emphasize  differences  but  by 
the  increase  of  the  spiritual  insight  which  leads 
men  to  love  where  they  do  not  like  and  there- 
fore leads  them  to  such  a  practice  of  neighbor- 
liness  that  differing  points  of  view  will  not  lead 
to  separations  but  to  such  tolerations  as  belong 
to  any  group  of  individuals  who  have  surrendered 
themselves  to  the  will  and  purpose  of  God. 


DEMOCRACY  AND  EFFICIENCY       35 

Christ  the  Basis. 

If  it  is  impossible  to  build  a  democracy  upon 
the  basis  of  surrendered  individualism  to  the  way 
and  will  of  God,  then  there  is  little  hope  for  a 
democracy  that  would  deal  with  the  shifting 
scenes  and  changing  view-points  of  human  wills 
and  ways.  The  Christ  we  serve  is  the  same 
yesterday,  to-day  and  forever.  His  Word  is  our 
plain  guide  so  long  as  we  take  it  and  not  what 
some  one  thinks  or  ha^  said  about  it.  Demo- 
cratic efficiency  will  be  produced  when  people 
cease  to  place  emphasis  upon  the  divisive  opin- 
ions and  interpretations  of  men  and  once  more 
accord  authority  to  and  place  emphasis  upon  the 
clearly  expressed  will  and  way  of  God.  In  no 
other  way  can  unity  be  secured  or  a  neighborly 
love  built  up. 

If  Christians  cannot  be  one  in  spirit  and  in 
organized  Hfe  upon  a  basis  of  love  and  obedi- 
ence to  Christ  then  it  seems  to  me  that  there  is 
little  hope  for  the  unregenerate  mind  of  the  world 
to  be  able  to  fashion  a  democracy  that  will  be 
anything  more  than  a  shell  to  be  cracked  by  the 
first  explosion  of  greed  or  hate  upon  the  part  of 
some  included  unit. 

A  Trend  Towards  It. 

Of  late  the  Church  in  larger  areas  has  shown 


36   DEMOCEACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

some  signs  of  efficiency  along  these  lines  by  the 
union  of  groups  of  people  of  basic  similarity  but 
with  slightly  different  view-point  upon  minor 
matters.  Until  all  the  Baptist  or  Lutheran  or 
Methodist  or  Presbyterian  bodies  can  secure  a 
unity  among  all  of  their  own  basic  names  it  is 
idle  to  talk  of  any  further  union  along  demo- 
cratic or  federalized  lines. 

Simplicity. 

Efficiency  is  promoted  by  simplicity.  The 
Church  instituted  by  Christ  was  magnificently 
simple.  We  must  have  in  our  modern  world 
various  avenues  for  expression  in  order  to  meet 
the  needs  that  confront  the  Church  of  to-day. 
But  the  organization  must  be  simple  and  adapt- 
able and  not  complex  and  cumbersome.  The 
machinery  of  any  democracy  reaches  the  dan- 
ger-point when  it  unduly  leads  to  the  exaltation 
of  workers  or  classes  of  work.  Any  approach 
to  autocracy,  to  a  machine-made  leadership,  to 
wheels  within  wheels,  to  a  man-made  expression 
of  authority  will  in  the  end  be  self-limiting  and 
self-destructive.  History  has  taught  us  that  sim- 
plicity and  service  but  not  supremacy  are  the 
signs  of  efficiency.  The  one  great  badge  of 
honor  in  a  democracy  is  service.  Position,  power, 
intellectual  endowment,  possessions  are  all  mere 


DEMOCEACY  AND  EFFICIENCY       37 

baubles  and  meaningless  until  turned  to  the  serv- 
ice of  Christ  and  our  fellow  creatures.  Such  is 
the  simple  plan  of  Christ. 

Spirituality. 

Efficiency  will  be  marked  in  the  Christian  de- 
mocracy by  the  attainment  on  the  part  of  every 
individual  of  a  measure  of  spiritual  activity  and 
culture.  The  measure  of  attainment  will  be  ac- 
cording to  the  capacity  and  opportunity  of  the 
individual.  To-day  there  is  tremendous  differ- 
ence between  the  best  and  worst  elements  in  the 
membership  of  the  Church,  a  difference  due  to 
the  non-participation  in  its  activities  on  the  part 
of  large  numbers  of  people.  There  should  al- 
ways be  a  difference  between  those  of  highest 
ideals  and  best  attainments  and  those  of  poor 
attainment  and  low  ideals.  But  all  will  possess 
spiritual  ideals  that  are  worth  while  and  at- 
tainments that  mark  them  as  differing  from 
the  unredeemed  in  the  world  when  the  Chris- 
tian democracy  is  efficiently  administered.  The 
marked  variety  of  ideals  and  attainments  found 
to-day  has  undoubtedly  come  from  the  utter 
failure  of  the  Church  to  provide  a  nurture  in 
spiritual  infancy,  this  to  be  followed  by  an  ade- 
quate educational  program  which  produces  a 
culture  of  the  soul  while  it  trained  the  mind  and 


38   DEMOCKACY  AND  THE  CHUKCH 

body  to  recognize  the  authority  of  the  Word  of 

God  and  of  the  democracy. 

Nurture  and  Citltiire. 

Efficiency  must  be  shown  in  the  appHcation 
of  the  practice  of  nurture  and  then  of  every  peda- 
gogic principle  till  the  lack  of  knowledge  and 
the  consequent  lack  of  divine  practices  has  dis- 
appeared in  practically  all  the  normal  members. 

Recognition  of  Authority. 

Beyond  that,  with  a  proper  foundation  of 
knowledge  and  nurture  efficiency  will  produce 
such  a  recognition  of  properly  constituted  au- 
thority as  will  be  a  distinguishing  mark  of  the 
Christian  democracy.  It  will  be  just  one  more 
manifestation  of  the  reality  of  the  surrendered 
individuality  of  each  member.  That  will  produce 
further  efficiency. 

The  Methods  of  Christ. 

Efficiency  will  be  produced  by  a  study  of  the 
methods  of  Christ,  as  we  learn  to  adjust  the  indi- 
vidual ideas,  idiosyncrasies  and  expressions  to 
the  demands  of  a  thoroughgoing  spirit  of  service 
along  democratic  lines.  The  individuality  then 
merged  for  interdependent  activities  will  more 
and  more  learn  to  shape  all  the  activities  of  the 


DEMOCEACY  AND  EFFICIENCY       39 

life  so  as  to  meet  the  demands  for  service  from 
the  Church  in  civic  or  national  spheres  of  activity. 

Universality  of  Expectation. 

Again  the  real  efficiency  of  the  body  will  be 
revealed  by  the  ability  to  meet  the  necessary  and 
wise  demands  of  the  Christian  democracy  that 
aim  to  secure  a  just  distribution  of  the  bounties 
of  God,  the  privileges  of  the  church  membership 
and  the  continuous  joys  of  Christian  service. 
These  things  cannot  be  expected  to  appear 
spontaneously  in  the  life  any  more  than  good 
table  manners  will  appear  in  the  life  of  a  child. 
Instruction,  training  and  persistent  example  alone 
will  produce  the  necessary  result. 

A  Good  Stewardship. 

Finally  a  genuine  efficiency  will  only  be  pro- 
duced in  the  Christian  democracy  when  the  in- 
dividuals believe  themselves  to  be  stewards  of  the 
living  God  and  that  all  natural  endowments,  ad- 
vantages and  possessions  are  entrusted  by  the 
Donor  to  the  individual  that  he  may  develop  a 
power  to  administer  to  the  enrichment  of  his 
own  soul  by  giving  magnificently  of  all  good 
things  in  his  possession.  In  a  thoroughgoing 
democracy  duties  will  always  accompany  priv- 
ileges. 


40  DEMOCEACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

Love  and  its  Objective. 

Love  always  seeks  communion  with  the  object 
of  its  affection.  It  is  worse  than  mockery,  it  is 
hypocrisy  to  proclaim  a  love  for  Christ  and  then 
to  fail  to  produce  the  results  which  are  the 
legitimate  fruitage  of  that  love.  True  love  is 
always  costly  to  the  lover.  Efficiency  methods 
in  the  Christian  democracy  will  so  increase  the 
cost  of  its  privileges  and  duties  that  they  will 
ultimately  become  the  most  costly  phase  of  the 
life.  There  is  ample  warrant  in  Scripture  for 
that  expectation  when  we  remember  "  So  like- 
wise whosoever  he  be  of  you  that  forsaketh  not 
all  that  he  hath  cannot  be  my  disciple."  If  you 
have  not  committed  your  all  to  Christ  you  are  in 
the  wrong  place  when  you  are  in  the  Church  of 
Jesus  Christ.  Hence  an  efficient  Christian  de- 
mocracy will  produce  a  race  of  individuals  with 
the  heroic  and  sacrificial  spirit,  so  that  any  cost 
will  be  met  to  save  the  world  through  service 
in  Christ's  way.  That  is  being  a  good  steward 
of  the  manifold  mercies  and  graces  of  the  Lord 
God. 

Present  Signs  of  Efficiency 

Let  us  at  this  point  remember  the  things  that 
the  Christian  democracy  has  been  doing  with  real 
efficiency. 


DEMOCEACY  AND  EFFICIENCY       41 

The  Bible  School. 

Enrolled  in  the  Bible  schools  of  the  Protestant 
churches  are  more  than  twenty-two  million 
scholars  and  a  force  of  teachers  and  officers 
aggregating  over  a  million  and  a  half.  No  other 
single  piece  of  organized  propaganda,  com- 
parable to  this,  is  to  be  found  anywhere  in 
American  life.  It  is  an  achievement  of  a  por- 
tentous character.  The  Church  is  thus  enabled 
to  keep  alive  in  the  hearts  of  those  millions  the 
simple  evangelical  truths  of  the  Gospel,  and  it  is 
in  the  Gospel  of  Christ  that  we  find  the  power 
of  unity  and  of  democracy. 

Contmgent  Organizations. 

The  Church  has  fostered  organization  in  world 
areas  where  the  limitations  of  the  local  church 
do  not  affect  the  situation.  These  outside  or- 
ganizations depend  upon  the  Church  for  their 
personal  and  money  resources  and  some  of  them 
thus  manned  by  church  members  and  supported 
by  their  money  are  most  potent  factors  in  world, 
in  national,  and  in  civic  life,  I  refer  to  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  the  Young 
Women's  Christian  Association,  Christian  col- 
leges, schools,  hospitals  and  similar  organizations. 
Without  the  Christian  Church  these  activities 
would  not  have  been  humanly  possible. 


42     DEMOCRACY  AND  THE  CHUECH 

Finances. 

Next  we  must  remember  that  the  Church  has 
in  recent  years  democratized  its  finances  by  re- 
fusing national  or  state  support  and  by  ending 
the  selling  of  its  sittings  and  in  lieu  of  these 
means  of  support  has  come  to  the  place  where  a 
stewardship  on  the  part  of  every  member  is  ex- 
pected to  produce  giving  regularly  and  propor- 
tionately. This  achievement  is  not  yet  wholly 
accomplished  but  the  principles  of  it  have  been 
clearly  recognized  in  every  group  and  the 
spiritual  forces  are  at  work  to  put  them  into 
practice.  In  the  past  five  years  it  is  safe  to  say 
that  the  number  of  church  members  enrolled  as 
regular  contributors  has  more  than  doubled.  The 
next  great  aim  is  to  push  the  Scriptural  idea  of 
stewardship  until  it  covers  every  phase  of  life  and 
every  child  of  God  has  the  spiritual  idea  contained 
in  these  following  verses :  •'  The  life  is  more 
than  meat  "  and  *'  A  man's  life  consisteth  not  in 
the  things  which  he  possesses."  Where  this  has 
been  worked  out  so  as  to  reach  a  great  majority 
of  the  individuals  who  have  surrendered  them- 
selves to  an  interdependent  relation,  the  great 
pauper  and  indigent  class  in  the  Christian  de- 
mocracy will  practically  be  ended.  They  are 
fast  disappearing  and  this  is  a  genuine  sign  of 
efficiency. 


DEMOCRACY  AND  EFFICIENCY       43 

Democratized  Worship. 

The  services  of  worship  of  the  Church  have 
been  largely  democratized,  and  poor  and  rich 
alike  find  ample  welcome  in  any  house  of  wor- 
ship where  the  Gospel  of  Christ  is  preached. 
This  has  been  brought  about  in  part  by  the  new 
approach  made  by  the  Church  to  the  forces  out- 
side their  organization.  The  new  social  spirit 
has  radically  changed  the  ideas  and  methods  of 
many  churches  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  many  do 
not  yet  like  the  common  term  "  social  service." 
The  name  is  relatively  unimportant  when  com- 
pared with  the  actual  results  accomplished,  for 
social  barriers  are  broken  down  as  men  learn  to 
work  together  at  a  common  task.  As  people 
v/ork  together  in  national,  in  civic,  and  in  Chris- 
tian service  the  hindrances  to  unity  and  neigh- 
borly love  most  effectually  disappear. 

Educational  Goals. 

The  direct  contribution  made  by  the  Church 
to  the  educational  facilities  of  the  day  is  an 
achievement  denoting  efficiency.  We  have  said 
before  that  the  strength  of  any  democracy  rests 
largely  upon  the  intelligence  of  its  constituency. 
It  is  now  a  fundamental  recognition  that  the 
Church  must  produce  its  own  leadership  and 
consequently  must  provide  adequate  educational 


44   DEMOOEACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

advantages  under  Christian  leaders.  A  democ- 
racy must  have  leaders  growing  out  of  its  own 
Hfe  and  teaching,  so  the  Christian  democracy  has 
learned  that  it  cannot  allow  even  the  State  to 
educate  its  future  leaders  in  institutions  of  great 
erudition  which,  however,  lack  fundamental  eth- 
ical bases  because  they  are  prohibited  from  teach- 
ing the  Word  of  God  and  therefore  are  shut  off 
from  the  only  sure  foundation  for  any  real  char- 
acter building.  No  education  is  complete  or 
sound  that  does  not  pay  adequate  attention  to 
spiritual  truths. 

Demand  for  Trained  Ministry. 

The  insistent  demand  for  a  trained  as  well  as 
an  educated  ministry  has  already  led  to  some 
changes  in  the  curriculum  of  the  theological  semi- 
naries. Greater  changes  are  impending  which 
will  result  in  giving  to  the  student  such  clinical 
advantages  as  will  produce  men  both  of  culture 
and  power  of  executive  leadership.  The  pro- 
duction of  a  better  trained  ministry  will  have  the 
further  effect  of  producing  a  corps  of  trained  lay 
officers  in  every  local  democracy.  A  trained 
ministry  will  be  able  to  prepare  clinically  all  those 
chosen  by  the  votes  of  the  group  to  occupy  the 
places  of  leadership.  Thus  efficiency  is  shown, 
which  is  worthy  of  recognition,  when  it  is  re- 


DEMOCRACY  AND  EFFICIENCY       45 

membered  that  the  Church  has  ahvays  been  slow 
to  change  its  processes.  But  to-day  these  changes 
are  produced  harmoniously  and  effectively. 

Busi7iess  Assets. 

Another  mark  of  efficiency  in  the  processes  of 
the  Christian  democracy  is  the  demand  for  and 
then  the  utilizing  of  the  business  powers  and 
acumen  of  men  of  large  affairs  in  commerce. 
At  last  the  Church  is  making  her  business  opera- 
tions to  be  businesslike  and  efficient. 

Humanized  Spirituality, 

Large  progress  has  been  made  in  the  break- 
ing down  of  the  austere  aspects  of  Christianity. 
While  retaining  its  spiritual  note  it  has  been 
humanized  in  the  eyes  of  many.  Christianity  is 
not  necessarily  austere  or  severe.  It  may  pre- 
sent some  aspects  of  that  character  under  some 
conditions  of  life,  but  it  also  has  its  joyful  and 
happy  sides  while  retaining  its  reverential  atti- 
tude towards  God.  The  world  of  late  has  begun 
to  be  impressed  with  this  fact  by  the  concern 
of  the  Church  to  furnish  proper  social  life  and 
amusement  for  all  its  constituency.  The  Chris- 
tian democracy  of  the  past  was  constantly  sound- 
ing a  note  of  negation,  "  This  is  wrong,"  "  You 
must  not  do  this."     No  interdependent  relation 


46      DEMOCEACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

will  thrive  long  on  negatives.  So  to-day  modern 
church  structures  usually  contain  ample  facilities 
for  the  social  recreation  and  amusement  of  the 
various  groups  in  her  membership.  This  is  be- 
coming true  even  in  rural  regions,  usually  con- 
sidered difficult  to  change  in  such  matters,  but 
often  found  to  be  quite  as  progressive  as  the  city. 
Plans  are  being  made  to  push  widely  this  hu- 
manized approach  of  things  spiritual  until  it  has 
permeated  every  local  church. 

Care  of  Ministry. 

Another  marked  evidence  of  an  efficient  spirit 
in  the  Christian  democracy  is  the  concern  to  pro- 
vide ample  pensions  for  old  or  disabled  ministers 
and  missionary  workers.  Salaries  for  many  dec- 
ades have  been  shamefully  low  and  therefore 
many  a  worn-out  servant  of  the  Church  became 
a  charitable  object.  A  proper  value  is  rapidly 
being  placed  upon  such  service  by  the  democ- 
racy and,  while  salaries  are  being  steadily  pushed 
up,  pension  funds  are  being  created  which  will 
care  for  the  worn-out  workers  of  the  Church  on 
a  self-respecting  basis. 

Womanhood  Recognized. 

The  Church  has  always  been  conservative 
along  many  lines,  and  one  particular  example 


DEMOCEACY  AND  EFFICIENCY       47 

has  been  in  regard  to  her  womanhood.  While 
counted  as  a  democracy  in  many  ways,  in  a 
number  of  groups  the  women  have  been  partially 
or  wholly  disfranchised.  Yet  womenkind  con- 
stitute about  sixty-two  per  cent,  of  the  members 
of  the  average  church.  But  the  democracy  has 
of  late  been  banishing  such  limitations  and  this 
is  surely  a  mark  of  efficiency. 

Developed  Manhood. 

Men  in  the  membership  of  the  Christian  de- 
mocracy, while  usually  holding  in  their  hands 
the  bulk  of  the  official  positions,  have  often  not 
bulked  large  in  participation  of  a  virile  character. 
Many  a  local  church  and  some  communions  have 
been  "  menarchies  "  and  that  is  worse  than  a  world 
monarchy,  because  the  Church  is  supposed  to 
belong  to  Christ  and  to  follow  His  divine  prin- 
ciples and  so  there  is  far  less  excuse  for  any 
group  of  believers  to  exercise  unjust  discrimina- 
tion as  between  men  and  women.  Christianity 
has  always  stood  for  the  exaltation  of  woman- 
hood and  the  equality  of  all  human  souls  in  the 
sight  of  God.  But  of  late  a  new  sense  of  respon- 
sibility has  come  to  many  men  and  to-day  they  arc 
reaching  out  in  an  efficient  measure  of  coopera- 
tion that  promises  large  things  for  the  future  and 
has  already  produced  some  marked  contributions 


48   DEMOCRACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

to  the  power  and  resources  of  many  a  local  group 
or  group  of  larger  area.  These  several  manifesta- 
tions of  efficiency  when  examined  and  related  to 
the  Christian  democracy  are  found  to  be  quite 
largely  concerned  with  the  larger  and  organized 
aspects  of  the  Christian  religion.  While  the 
progress  in  the  local  areas  has  made  possible  this 
growth  and  efficiency,  not  enough  progress  has 
been  made  in  local  areas  to  make  the  Church 
fully  able  to  meet  the  needs  of  the  situation. 
The  local  democracy  will  never  become  thor- 
oughly efficient  until  a  much  more  efficient 
system  of  nurture  and  culture  is  applied  which 
will  insistently  subject  every  individual  to  its 
processes.  On  the  other  hand,  full  recognition 
must  be  given  to  the  cumulative  power  of  the 
eleven  manifestations  of  present  day  efficiency 
just  cited  as  being  found  in  the  Christian  de- 
mocracy. It  is  safe  to  say  that  no  other  group 
in  all  the  world  can  approach  the  sum  total  of 
those  eleven  items. 

The  Whole  and  its  Parts 

The  efficiency  of  the  whole  depends  upon  the 
efficiency  of  the  individual  unit,  and  in  the  im- 
mediate future  the  problem  of  making  the 
individual,  who  has  supposedly  surrendered  his 
individuality  for  his  own  good  and  the  good  of 


DEMOCRACY  AND  EFFICIENCY       49 

all  the  others,  into  a  competent  interdependent 
part  of  the  whole,  must  be  solved  for  the  good 
of  the  Church  and  the  good  of  the  world. 

Only  a  competent,  efficient,  resultful  Christian 
democracy  will  be  able  to  convince  the  world  of 
the  power  of  Christ  and  the  value  of  democracy. 


ANALYSIS— CHAPTER  III 

DEMOCRACY  AND  INEFFICIENCY 

1.  A  picture  of  failure. 

2.  A  description  of  inefficiency. 

3.  A  divine  institution  conducted  by  frail  humanity. 

4.  A  purpose  behind  the  divine  institution. 

(l)  The  lack  of  unity  which  spoils  the  purpose. 

5.  Variety  of  expression  not  cause  of  inefficiency. 
(1)   Type  of  government  not  the  cause. 

6.  Restating  our  definition  of  Christian  democracy. 

7.  The  Church  examined  on  the  basis  of  that  defini- 

tion  shows   a  lack   of  intelligence   which 
causes  inefficiency. 

(1)  Failure  to  properly  surrender  individuality. 

(2)  Inability  to  produce  nurture  and  culture. 

(3)  A  cheapened  idea  of  individual  responsibility. 

(4)  A  lack  of  service  in  its  interests. 

Statistical    and   other   proof  to   emphasize 
these  failures. 

8.  A  question  concerning  the  cause  of  these  failures 

shows  these  further  inefficiencies. 
(i)  A  failure  of  human  administration. 

(2)  Idealism  without  resultant  government. 

(3)  A  lack  of  love. 

9.  A    further    query   concerning   delinquency   in   a 

Christian  democracy. 


DEMOCEACY  AND  INEFFICIENCY    51 

10.  All  inefficiency  classified  or  grouped  for  the  sake 

of  emphasis. 

(1)  Faulty  idealism. 

(2)  Inadequate  government. 

(3)  Lack  of  nurture  and  culture. 

(4)  Failure  to  progress. 

(5)  Untrained  officiary. 

(6)  Sex  distinction. 

(7)  Divisive  elements  in  unit. 

11.  In  spite  of  failure,  ideals  of  democracy  are  still 

the  goal  of  the  Church. 

12.  The  law  of  averages. 


Ill 

DEMOCRACY  AND  INEFFICIENCY 

MANY  times  while  riding  on  a  train 
you  have  watched  a  collie  dog  come 
tearing  out  of  a  farmyard  at  the  noise 
of  the  approaching  cars  and  rush  with  sur- 
prising speed  towards  the  train  as  if  intent  upon 
catching  it.  You  have  wondered  what  the  dog 
would  do  if  he  should  really  catch  the  train. 
He  could  not  bite  its  lower  extremities  as  he 
might  a  sheep,  nor  could  he  drive  it  whither  he 
would.  He  could  only  stand  helpless  and  look 
at  what  was  before  him.  The  thing  is  too  big 
for  him  to  handle  and  if  he  got  in  its  way  it 
would  soon  crush  him  to  death.  The  dog  is  not 
to  blame ;  he  should  have  been  taught  not  to  waste 
his  energy  on  such  a  useless  race.  The  picture 
thus  presented  is  a  serious  one  from  the  dog's 
standpoint,  but  it  does  not  disturb  the  train  at  all. 

A  Description  of  Inefficiency 

Men  and  women  have  professed  faith  in  Christ 
Jesus  and  joined  His  Church,  often  in  a  haste  com- 
parable to  the  approach  of  the  dog  to  the  train, 
52 


DEMOCRACY  AND  INEFFICIENCY    53 

but  it  was  not  a  reasoned,  studied  approach,  for 
when  they  supposedly  have  voluntarily  sur- 
rendered themselves  to  the  will  of  God  and 
joined  the  Christian  democracy,  they  are  found 
in  large  numbers  to  be  inactive  in  the  organiza- 
tion, having  a  name  to  live  on  the  church  roll, 
but  being  dead  if  judged  by  the  findinr^^s  of  their 
daily  lives.  It  is  of  great  importance  to  the 
Church  that  a  study  of  available  statistics,  cor- 
roborated by  a  further  study  of  the  local  church 
life  will  reveal  that  each  year  half  as  many  are 
dropped  or  excluded  as  are  added  to  the  organ- 
ization upon  profession  of  faith.  To  express  this 
statement  concretely,  a  given  denomination 
added  eight  and  a  half  per  cent,  to  its  member- 
ship in  one  year  by  profession  of  faith  and  in 
that  same  period  removed  for  disciplinary  causes 
or  non-participation  about  four  per  cent.  It  is  a 
well-known  fact  that  church  discipline  is  very 
lax  and  is  difficult  to  put  in  operation  and  only 
urgent  necessity  produces  it.  So  it  is  proper  to 
conclude  that  many  more  are  retained  that  should 
be  subjected  to  similar  discipline.  A  well-known 
minister  of  wide  experience  has  said  that  in  a 
national  army  deserters  are  shot,  but  if  the 
Church  undertook  such  an  operation  the  supply 
of  ammunition  would  run  out  before  the  con- 
clusion   of  the   punishment.     This   fact   is  pur- 


54   DEMOCRACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

posely  thrown  out  into  bold  relief  at  the  begin- 
ning of  this  discussion  upon  inefficiency  in  order 
to  make  plain  the  fact  that  the  Christian  democ- 
racy is  not  efficiently  administering  its  individual 
units,  and  an  undue  amount  of  failures  are  re- 
sulting. 

A  Divine  Institution  Conducted  by 
Frail  Humanity 

The  Church  is  divine  in  its  conception  and 
origin ;  of  that  there  can  be  no  question,  but  its 
divine  originator  purposed  that  His  Church 
should  be  maintained  and  projected  through  hu- 
man agents  who  give  themselves  up  to  Him  for 
His  purposes.  And  it  is  therefore  not  a  failure 
of  the  divine  that  we  face,  but  rather  a  failure  of 
human  agencies  to  submit  themselves  for  divine 
ends.  Any  failure  of  the  church  member  is  in 
no  sense  a  failure  of  the  divine  element,  but  of  the 
human,  and  the  organized  Church  of  to-day  is  in- 
tensely human  in  its  failures.  Nor  must  we  forget 
that  in  some  great  things  the  Church  has  done 
work  of  tremendous  and  far-reaching  import  to 
the  glory  of  her  divine  founder.  But  for  the 
present,  let  us  go  back  to  an  examination  of  the 
inefficiencies  in  the  Christian  democracy  and  find 
out  in  particular  their  scope  and  effect  upon  the 
organization  and  the  world. 


DEMOCRACY  AND  INEFFICIENCY    55 

A  Purpose  Behind  the  Divine  Institution 
One  of  the  purposes  lying  behind  the  origin 
of  the  Church  was  the  construction  of  Christian 
character.  This  could  not  be  done  wholly  upon 
an  individualistic  basis.  It  must  be  done  in  part 
by  contact  and  cooperation  with  the  lives  of  others. 
For  Christian  character  is  not  a  gift  outright,  nor 
is  it  the  result  merely  of  a  profession,  but  it 
consists  largely  of  an  unselfish  Christ  seeking 
Hfe  which  is  shown  to  the  world  in  the  expres- 
sion of  an  individualism  surrendered  for  the  ex- 
press purpose  of  helping  others  in  the  name  of 
and  for  the  sake  of  Christ.  Hence  the  Christian 
democracy  grew  apace,  for  in  its  associations,  its 
contacts,  its  service,  its  sacrifice  and  its  worship 
would  be  found  both  the  test  of  and  the  growth 
from  the  changed  relation  towards  God  that  pro- 
duced a  sound  profession  of  faith  in  Him  and 
then  an  alliance  with  others  who  were  similarly 
related  to  Him.  In  other  words,  an  initial  proof 
of  the  right  to  belong  to  the  democracy  of  Christ 
is  found  in  conformity  to  the  prayer  of  our  Lord, 
"  That  they  all  may  be  one." 

The  Lack  of  Unity  Which  Spoils  the  Purpose. 
Unity  is  essential  to  democracy.     Such  unity 
will  have  individual  expression.     That  is  part  of 


56   DEMOCEACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

God's  plan  and  does  not  limit  the  power  of  the 
democracy,  but  rather  manifests  the  power  and 
reality  of  its  unity.  To  determine  the  efficiency 
or  inefficiency  of  the  democracy,  let  us  seek  out 
the  facts  that  will  tell  the  story  of  the  Church 
along  this  hne. 

Variety  of  Expression  Not  Cause  of 
Inefficiency 

Unity  was  not  designed  to  be  negative  in  its 
character  or  regulation,  but  positive  in  its  beliefs 
and  expressions  along  essential  lines.  We  pro- 
ceed now  to  the  discussion  of  the  causes  of  ineffi- 
ciency in  the  Christian  democracy.  It  is  often 
claimed  that  subscription  to  a  creed  will  fail  to 
produce  individual  expression  of  Christian  faith 
and  this  has  led  many  to  accentuate  an  inde- 
pendence that  is  just  as  harmful  as  following  too 
credulously  the  formally  adopted  expression  of 
some  other  person's  faith.  An  equal  amount 
of  failure  or  inefficiency  has  resulted  wherever 
groups  have  followed  either  of  these  principles. 
In  fact  a  close  study  of  the  two  widely  separated 
groups,  the  one  intensely  individualistic  in  its 
form  of  expression,  and  the  other  united  in  the 
acceptance  of  a  creed,  will  certainly  show  that 
the  delinquencies  and  failures  are  alike  both  in 
character   and    in    number.     What    inefficiency 


DEMOCEACY  AND  INEFFICIENCY    57 

there  is  cannot,  therefore,  be  the  result  of  a 
creed  or  lack  of  one.  Over-emphasized  or  under- 
emphasized  individualism  is  a  potent  foe  to  de- 
mocracy. In  fact  it  is  in  genesis  and  result  autoc- 
racy of  a  most  dangerous  type.  On  the  other 
hand,  a  form  of  rehgion  which  does  not  contain 
the  true  spirit  of  Christian  faith  and  character 
will  produce  another  form  of  autocracy  that  will 
ultimately  destroy  true  democracy.  No  matter 
which  type  of  church  the  reader  may  believe  in, 
he  is  compelled  to  look  from  both  ends  towards 
a  center  for  the  real  causes  of  inefficiency.  I 
repeat,  both  types  of  expression  have  similar 
inefficiencies  in  about  equal  amounts. 

Type  of  Governmejit  Not  the  Cause. 

Nor  can  the  failure  be  ascribed  to  the  particular 
form  of  government  used  by  a  local  church  or 
group  of  churches.  Whatever  inefficiency  is  to 
be  found  lies  beyond  a  form  of  government  am; 
seems  to  be  personal  in  its  tendencies  rather  than 
governmental.  The  inefficiencies  are  alike  per- 
sonal and  cumulative  only  in  the  measure  that 
personal  failures  cause  a  failure  on  the  part  of  an 
associated  group.  Can  it  be  that,  like  the  dog 
before  referred  to,  these  individuals  have  caught 
a  train  only  to  discover  it  to  be  a  possession 
which  they  can  neither  use  nor  enjoy  ? 


58   DEMOCRACY  AND   THE  CHUECH 

Restating  Our  Definition  of  Christian 
Democracy 

We  have  said  that  democracy  in  its  Christian 
form  is  a  brotherhood  of  the  followers  of  Jesus 
Christ  who  have  voluntarily  associated  them- 
selves together  in  a  spirit  of  fraternity  and 
equality  for  the  purpose  of  nurture,  culture  and 
the  development  of  a  similar  spirit  of  brother- 
hood throughout  the  world. 

We  shall  do  well  just  now  to  examine  carefully 
how  far  the  local  churches  fail  to  express  this 
definition  of  Christian  democracy.  Of  course 
there  are  a  few  churches  that  do  their  great  tasks 
with  real  efficiency  so  as  to  measure  beyond  most 
of  the  others,  but  in  general  one  local  church  is 
only  a  little  better  or  a  little  worse  than  all  the 
others.  The  law  of  averages  holds  good  in  church 
life  just  as  it  does  in  hfe  or  fire  insurance. 

The  Church  Examined  on  the  Basis  of  that 
Definition  Shows  a  Lack  of  Intelli- 
gence Which  Causes  Inefficiency 

In  the  first  chapter  is  presented  the  plan  of  an 
ideal  democracy  and  it  indicates  that  to  be  effi- 
cient, the  following  must  be  found  in  the  life  of 
the  Church :  interdependence,  nurture,  culture, 
government,    and    control    with    its    consequent 


DEMOOliACY  AND  mEFFlCIENCY    59 

police  powers,  and  finally  projection  with  its  con- 
sequent service. 

Failure  to  Properly  Surrender  hidividuality. 

Voluntarism  presupposes  intelligent  study  of 
the  principles  and  practices  which  underlie  and 
govern  the  original  group  which  is  voluntarily 
joined  together.  Interdependence  to  be  effective 
must  be  entered  into  willingly  and  knowingly. 
But  a  loving  examination  to-day  of  any  large 
number  of  church  members  would  reveal  the  fact 
that  hosts  of  people  in  the  Christian  democracy 
do  not  know  why  they  are  in  the  organization, 
nor  the  ends  for  which  it  exists.  Many  of  them 
I  fear  are  like  an  emigrant  who  said  that  he  came 
to  America  because  of  the  stories  he  heard  about 
the  wealth  to  be  gained  and  the  opportunities  for 
freedom  and  equality  presented  therein  ;  then  he 
added,  ••  but  they  did  not  tell  how  hard  you  must 
work  to  get  money,  nor  the  price  one  must  pay 
to  be  free  to  enjoy  the  equalities  of  the  people  in 
this  country."  Then  he  concluded,  "  I  go  back 
to  my  old  country."  In  like  manner,  many  a 
professing  Christian  has  sought  out  the  Church 
hurriedly,  but  has  soon  found  it  to  be  a  place  of 
great  opportunity  and  privilege,  and  consequently 
a  place  of  resulting  service  and  hardship.  It  is 
to  be  feared  that  much  inefficiency  and  failure  in 


60      DEMOCEACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

the  local  church  has  been  caused  because  the  in- 
dividual has  not  really  surrendered  himself  to 
God  first  and  then  intelligently  to  the  Christian 
democracy  for  all  the  purposes  for  which  it  was 
called  into  being.  The  full  surrender  to  God  in 
the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  will  have  produced  that 
greatest  of  all  divine  results  in  the  human  life,  a 
new  birth.  Without  this  regeneration  all  else 
will  ultimately  fail. 

Inability  to  Produce  Nurture  and  Culture, 
A  life  truly  nurtured  in  its  infancy  and  then 
properly  educated  and  trained  develops  a  desire  to 
participate  in  all  that  the  democracy  stands  for. 
To  join,  with  a  statement  that  I  have  faith  in 
God  and  in  His  Son  Jesus  when  I  do  not  know 
nor  am  I  instructed  in  what  is  involved  by  that 
declaration  of  faith,  is  neither  a  good  democratic 
practice  nor  a  common-sense  Christian  principle. 
So  we  are  brought  face  to  face  with  those  words, 
nurture  and  culture.  The  Church  or  Christian 
democracy  has  failed  of  efficiency  in  so  far  as  it 
has  failed  to  produce  nurture  and  culture  of  every 
individual  member.  In  all  normal  cases  the  twin 
practices  of  nurture  and  culture  will  produce  a 
voluntary  participation  in  all  that  makes  a  de- 
mocracy strong.  In  the  past  the  Church  has  not 
in  any  adequate  manner  produced  a  nurture  for 


DEMOCRACY  AND  INEFFICIENCY    61 

those  who  associated  themselves  with  the  local 
body.  Nurture  is  concerned  in  particular  with 
the  initial  stages  of  life ;  it  does  its  best  work  in 
the  days  before,  during  and  immediately  follow- 
ing infancy.  Spiritual  infancy  has  great  need 
of  nurture  and  because  it  has  not  been  applied 
properly  to  the  lives  of  the  newly  born  souls  is 
one  great  reason  for  much  of  the  inefficiency  that 
exists  in  the  local  Christian  democracy  of  to- 
day. 

A  Cheapefied  Idea  of  Individual  Responsibility, 
It  does  not  matter  what  type  of  an  organized 
democracy  you  join,  your  helpful  participation 
will  depend  upon  your  intelligence.  Without 
intelligent  interdependence  both  the  individual 
and  the  group  will  fail.  The  Christian  de- 
mocracy has  ofttimes  sought  to  make  entry  into 
its  membership  quick  and  easy  with  the  idea  that 
it  would  thereby  attract  the  many.  This  has  so 
cheapened  the  benefits  to  be  derived  from  the 
organization  as  to  make  them  seem  worthless 
and  in  the  long  run  has  defeated  the  very  pur- 
pose in  the  divine  mind  that  originated  the  in- 
stitution, and  also  the  objective  sought  by  those 
uniting  with  it  later.  The  Christian  democracy 
is  inefficient  wherever  it  has  become  cheap  or 
easy  of  attainment.     Certainly  Christ  never  in- 


62   DEMOCEACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

tended  His  followers  to  regard  His  way  as  either 
cheap  or  easy,  as  those  words  from  His  lips 
plainly  testify  (Luke  14:27  and  33):  "And 
whosoever  doth  not  bear  his  cross  and  come 
after  me  cannot  be  my  disciple.  So  likewise, 
whosoever  he  be  of  you  that  forsaketh  not  all 
that  he  hath,  he  cannot  be  my  disciple." 

A  Lack  of  Service  in  Its  Interests. 

The  price  of  intelligence  is  generally  hard  work 
and  hard  work  is  a  tremendous  power  in  the 
world  of  values.  The  intellectual  processes  cause 
inward  agitation  and  outward  perturbation  and 
therein  is  one  of  the  chief  values  of  educa- 
tion. It  is  a  powerful  process  in  disciplining 
the  individual  and  the  safety  and  value  of 
the  Christian  democracy  depend  in  a  con- 
siderable degree  upon  the  disciplined  unity  of 
the  individuals  comprising  the  group.  Is  there 
any  one  who  really  knows  the  Christian  democracy 
of  to-day  who  would  be  wiUing  to  assert  that  it 
is  composed  of  Christlike  disciplined  people  to 
any  great  extent?  Therein  is  found  one  of  the 
factors  contributing  to  its  present  inefficiency. 

Statistical  and  Other  Proof  for  Emphasis. 
But   it  might  be  claimed  that  except  for  the 
opening  statement  these  other  things  are  glitter- 


DEMOCEACY  AND  INEFFICIENCY    63 

ing  generalities,  so  we  must  particularize  in  order 
to  demonstrate  the  measure  of  our  present  in- 
efficiency. Let  me  repeat  that  the  inefficiency  is 
not  on  the  part  of  the  divine  organization  pro- 
jected by  the  Lord,  but  is  due  entirely  to  the 
human  administration  concerned  with  it.  The 
train  is  complete  and  perfect  but  the  train  crew 
have  not  been  properly  trained  to  run  it  and  are 
incompetent. 

Many  hundreds  of  times  in  the  past  few  years 
large  groups  of  men  and  women  have  been  asked 
to  determine  to  the  best  of  their  knowledge  the 
percentage  of  efficiency  shown  by  the  local 
churches  within  their  personal  knowledge.  This 
percentage  was  to  be  determined  by  the  measure 
of  their  spiritual  attainment  in  worship  and  de- 
votion shown  by  the  members  as  well  as  upon 
the  degree  of  sacrifice  shown  in  constructing  an 
organization  and  then  utilizing  it  to  serve  its 
members,  the  community  in  which  it  was  placed, 
and  the  world  beyond.  The  service  considered 
was  to  be  rendered  through  three  great  agencies, 
money,  personality  and  intercession. 

In  such  groups  there  are  always  a  few  who  are 
somewhat  irresponsible  for  what  they  may  say, 
yet  never  has  any  one  ventured  to  affirm  that 
more  than  thirty  per  cent,  of  efficiency  was  pro- 
duced.    Many  have  said  that  less  than  five  per 


64      DEMOCEACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

cent,  of  efficiency  was  shown  by  the  Christian 
democracy,  but  there  has  ahvays  been  a  very 
general  agreement  that  tea  per  cent,  was  a  safe 
and  generous  estimate.  In  other  words,  through 
inefficiency  the  Christian  democracy  is  losing 
ninety  per  cent,  of  its  power  and  opportunity. 

A  Question  Concerning  the  Cause  of  These 

Failures  Shows  These  Further 

Inefficiencies 

May  we  not  properly  ask  if  the  democratic 
principle  is  the  cause  of  this  inefficiency?  Is 
this  appalling  failure  due  to  the  fact  that  the 
Christian  democracy  is  not  a  proper  instrument 
or  channel  for  the  interpretation  of  Christ  love 
and  service  ? 

A  Failure  of  Human  Administration. 

In  fleeing  from  the  autocracy  of  sin  to  the  in- 
terdependent relations  with  God  and  our  fellow 
Christians  we  have  failed  to  realize  all  the  pos- 
sible advantages  and  find  that  we  have  lost  a 
measure  of  love,  of  unity,  of  neighborliness,  so 
that  together  we  are  unable  to  produce  the 
needed  nurture  and  culture  which  would  make 
effective  the  life  with  all  its  powers  that  was  en- 
trusted to  us  for  service  in  the  world.  God  has 
not  failed  us  as  we  have  failed  Him  in  that  we 


DEMOCRACY  AND  INEFFICIENCY     66 

left  an  autocracy  of  sin  and  on  the  way  to  de- 
mocracy we  stopped  with  the  Bolsheviki — those 
poor  deluded  idealists  who  without  nurture  or 
culture  in  democracy  mistook  sentiment  for  a 
love  that  was  of  great  cost  because  of  intelligent 
priceless  service.  Bolshevikism  is  idealism  with- 
out love  or  common  sense.  It  is  an  attempt  to 
govern  by  ideals  but  without  a  settled  basis  for 
governing.  Hence  sooner  or  later  it  progresses 
towards  anarchy  and  autocracy. 

Idealism  Without  Resultant  Govcr7iment. 

The  Christian  democracy  has  failed  on  its  hu- 
man side  in  proportion  as  it  has  ideals  and  no 
resulting  government  with  wise  laws  and  re- 
straints to  lead  the  whole  people  towards  the  at- 
tainment of  those  ideals. 

For  instance,  God  calls  every  child  of  His  a 
steward.  In  love  He  desires  that  we  shall  ad- 
minister our  stewardship  according  to  His  will. 
He  must,  therefore,  have  the  first-fruits  of  our 
time,  our  energy,  our  talents,  and  our  possessions. 
Nor  must  it  be  forgotten  that  what  our  Father 
asks  in  love  He  also  commands  in  His  capacity 
as  Lord  and  Master. 

A  Lack  of  Love. 

In  our  voluntary  submission  to  Him  we  pro- 
fessed  our  love  and  obedience.     We  also  gave 


66   DEMOCHACY  AND  THE  CHUBCH 

ourselves  up  to  His  Lordship.  The  double  obli- 
gation rests  upon  every  one  to  follow  His  will 
because  we  love  Him  and  because  we  are  His 
servants.  A  love  that  is  scorned  or  mocked  is 
in  the  end  a  lost  love,  and  a  law  persistently 
broken  must  have  a  consequent  penalty.  Is  it  a 
matter  of  common  experience  that  the  Christian 
democracy  pays  attention  to  the  requirements  of 
love  and  visits  upon  the  breaker  of  laws  the 
penalties  of  the  broken  law  ? 

To  hear  of  church  discipline  in  this  day  is  to 
hear  of  a  very  unusual  procedure  and  conse- 
quently love  has  lost  its  meaning  and  law  has  be- 
come a  farce  with  a  consequent  measure  of 
inefficiency.  This  must  not  be  construed  as  a 
plea  for  punitive  discipline,  but  rather  for  resto- 
ration of  such  a  unity  that  love  will  compel  an 
efficiency  honoring  to  all  concerned.  Where 
love  finally  fails  then  law  shall  take  its  course  in 
order  to  strengthen  the  purposes  of  life.  The 
Christian  democracy  is  inefficient  in  proportion 
as  love  and  law  are  not  used  to  produce  God's 
expectation  from  every  steward  who  has  united 
with  the  organization  on  the  basis  of  a  sur- 
rendered individualism  and  a  consequent  inter- 
dependence. The  whole  body  must  endeavor 
steadily  and  progressively  to  secure  results  that 
are  commensurate  with  the  endowments,  the  op- 


DEMOCEACY  AND  INEFFICIENCY    67 

portunities  and  possessions  of  every  member  and 
in  particular  secure  a  democracy  wherein  all 
alike  and  in  due  measure  worship,  work  and  give 
for  the  maintenance  of  the  whole  organization. 
Nor  will  it  do  to  be  so  slow  and  supine  in  secur- 
ing the  necessary  results  that  the  slowness  will 
be  an  open  encouragement  of  failure.  Therein 
lies  another  cause  of  inefficiency. 

A  Further  Query  Concerning  Delinquency 
IN  A  Christian  Democracy 

A  leading  layman  in  the  membership  of  a 
country  church  asked  this  question :  "  Does 
making  a  profession  of  faith  and  then  joining 
the  church  cause  the  loss  of  an  ethical  sense  ?  " 
Asked  to  explain  the  purport  of  his  question,  he 
said,  "  In  my  church  are  more  than  twenty  men 
whose  word  is  good  in  the  business  world,  as 
good  as  their  bond  in  most  cases,  but  in  the 
church  it  is  good  for  nothing.  They  have  made 
certain  well-defined  promises  to  God  and  the 
church,  but  they  cannot  be  made  to  fulfill  those 
promises,  and  it  is  common  knowledge  that  they 
are  quite  capable  of  immediately  fulfilling  them 
if  they  determined  to  do  so."  The  question  and 
statement  reveal  a  very  common  delinquency  in 
the  life  of  the  ordinary  local  church,  and  therein 
lies  another  source  of  inefficiency.     Is  it  because 


68      DEMOCEACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

such  delinquency  is  part  and  parcel  of  a  democ- 
racy? The  Christian  democracy  is  confronted 
with  that  condition  on  every  hand.  If  a  Chris- 
tian democracy  is  the  breeding  ground  of  lying 
and  dishonesty,  of  supineness  and  weakness  and 
then  of  the  failure  of  authority  and  discipline, 
there  is  small  hope  that  the  world  reaching  out 
for  democracy  will  find  in  the  interdependent 
state  the  golden  fruit  that  has  been  envisioned. 

But  the  man  of  clear  vision  will  not  discount 
the  principle  of  democracy  because  of  instances 
which  may  come  under  his  notice.  This  failure 
is  but  the  invasion  of  democracy  by  an  insidious 
form  of  autocracy.  Let  the  Christian  democracy 
assert  itself  and  drive  out  the  sentimental  weak- 
ling who  breeds  autocracy  in  the  midst  of  de- 
mocracy on  the  plea  that  "  you  cannot  make  any 
one  do  that.*'  To  admit  such  a  plea  is  to  banish 
love  with  its  compelling  power  as  well  as  to 
banish  the  tremendous  power  of  a  majority  who 
set  a  delinquent  minority  a  good  example  and 
then  call  on  that  minority  for  the  purposes  of  the 
democracy  to  be  fulfilled  by  an  adequate  response. 
Not  to  do  this  is  to  cultivate  inefficiency. 

All  Inefficiency  Classified  or  Grouped 
FOR  THE  Sake  of  Emphasis 

To  sum  up  this  discussion  of  democracy  and 


DEMOCEACY  AND  INEFFICIENCY    G9 

inefficiency,  notice  that  the  failures  of  the  Church 
when  analyzed  can  be  classified  in  groups. 

Faulty  Idealism. 

First  there  is  the  inefficiency  due  to  a  distorted 
expression  of  idealism  that  lies  behind  any  de- 
mocracy. The  ideals  are  not  expressed  by  ideal 
people. 

Inadequate  Goverfiment, 

Then  there  is  the  inefficiency  due  to  faulty 
government  largely  to  be  ascribed  to  untrained 
officials  and  poor  organization.  In  this  connec- 
tion we  are  compelled  to  draw  attention  to  the 
production  of  a  large  class  of  members  who 
seemingly  are  above  the  law  of  democracy  and 
beyond  the  reach  of  its  loving  ministry  if  present 
conditions  are  to  govern  our  judgment  in  the 
case.  A  privileged  class  is  a  da;igerous  class  in 
any  interdependent  state. 

Lack  of  Nurture  and  Culture. 

Next  there  comes  the  inefficiency  consequent 
upon  faulty  or  absent  nurture  and  culture.  This 
leads  sooner  or  later  to  a  lack  of  unity  and  then 
by  various  stages  to  differences  of  character  and 
attainment  with  its  consequent  loss  of  achieve- 
ment. 


70   DEMOCRACY  AND  THE  CHUECH 

Failure  to  Progress. 

Then  there  is  the  iiiefficieiicy  that  grows  apace 
when  projecting  powers  are  not  encouraged  and 
built  into  the  hfe  of  each  member.  The  dynamic 
of  the  Christian  hfe  hes  in  the  love  that  deter- 
mines to  let  all  the  world  know  about  the  Lover 
who  died  to  save  the  object  of  His  love,  and  that 
without  regard  to  cost. 

Untrained  Officiary, 

Next  there  is  the  inefficiency  due  to  a  leader- 
ship that  is  limited  in  its  powers  because  it  has 
been  educated  but  not  clinically  trained.  Is  not 
this  the  case  with  the  graduates  of  very  many  of 
the  theological  seminaries  ? 

All  of  these  groups  in  consequence  of  inherent 
weaknesses  are  unable  to  relate  the  divine  powers 
and  graces  to  the  needs  of  their  democracy  as 
could  be  done  if  the  weaknesses  were  eliminated. 
As  a  further  consequence,  democracy  is  endan- 
gered in  the  eyes  of  the  world  when  it  looks 
upon  the  weaknesses  betrayed  by  the  Christian 
democracy. 

Sex  Distinction. 

Two  other  matters  must  be  considered  before 
we  pass  on  to  discuss  other  phases  of  the  topic. 
One  concerns  the  fostering  by  the  Christian  de- 


DEMOCRACY  AND  INEFFICIENCY    71 

mocracy  of  sex  distinction.  In  some  particulars 
the  Church  has  led  in  the  recognition  of  the  rights 
of  womanhood  consequent  upon  their  treatment 
upon  a  common  basis  with  all  the  other  human 
beings  by  the  plan  of  salvation  and  the  command 
to  evangelize  the  whole  world.  Yet  it  is  worthy 
of  note  that  a  large  measure  of  inefficiency  has 
been  fostered  in  the  Christian  democracy  by  an 
unjust  and  unchristian  discrimination  against 
women  Christians.  If  a  true  democracy  is  a 
government  of  the  people,  by  the  people,  for  the 
people,  why  has  the  Church  until  recently  per- 
sisted in  refusing  to  women  members  their  dem- 
ocratic rights?  The  discrimination  has  foisted 
into  many  an  office  a  man  who  though  utterly  in- 
competent has  been  given  the  place  of  responsi- 
bility. At  certain  periods  in  the  history  of  the 
Church  the  Word  of  God  has  been  interpreted 
as  putting  a  sex  limit  upon  the  filling  of  certain 
specified  offices  in  the  Church,  but  even  with 
the  acceptance  of  that  interpretation  only  a  spirit 
of  man-made  autocracy  has  prevented  the  church 
offices  and  the  governing  bodies  from  being  filled 
upon  the  basis  of  ability  to  render  competent 
service.  The  reply  often  given  is  that  if  com- 
petency was  to  determine,  then  the  women 
would  secure  all  the  places  of  responsibility. 
The   reply  furnishes    its  own  refutation   in   the 


72   DEMOCRACY  AKD  THE  CHURCH 

assurance  that  men  would  soon  become  competent 
enough  to  compete  with  women  of  ability,  so 
that  there  would  be  an  equitable  basis  of  distri- 
bution as  well  as  a  great  advance  in  the  com- 
petency of  all. 

Divisive  Elements  i?t  Unit. 

In  the  United  States  we  have  a  good  example 
of  a  federal  government.  There  are  towns,  cities, 
counties  and  states  which  exercise  governmental 
functions  for  the  areas  they  represent,  but  they 
are  all  subordinated  for  federal  purpose  to  a 
national  government.  In  the  Christian  democ- 
racy we  have  a  dangerous  situation,  particularly 
in  the  local  churches  because  the  Bible  School, 
the  Young  People's  Society,  the  Women's  or- 
ganization or  some  other  part  of  the  whole  is  not 
properly  federalized  into  a  strong  unit  which 
while  exercising  needed  control  and  taxation  for 
the  good  of  the  whole,  yet  permits  activity  and 
organization  for  some  particular  end  belonging 
to  such  a  segment. 

A  broken  up,  unrelated,  non-cooperating  set 
of  small  units  with  governmental  functions  in  a 
local  church  is  a  sign  of  inefficiency  and  often  of 
an  autocratic  spirit  in  a  segment.  The  same 
statement  is  true  concerning  units  in  larger  areas 
which  cling  to  a  distinguishing  name,  but  refuse 


DEMOCEACY  AND  INEFFICIENCY    73 

to  federalize  with  the  whole  body  covered  by  the 
distinguishing  name. 

Present  day  forms  of  Christian  democracy  are 
organized  on  the  basis  of  love  for  God  and  a 
consequent  love  for  fellow  men  and  in  particular 
for  those  of  the  organized  group  to  which  the 
individual  belongs.  The  immediate  danger 
which  results  from  this  relation  founded  in  love 
is  that  it  will  fail  in  efficient  administration  be- 
tween a  sentimental  fear  to  administer  properly  the 
responsibility  and  an  autocratic  system  founded 
on  law  which  works  without  regard  to  individu- 
ality. But  if  the  Church  cannot  successfully 
surmount  that  difficulty,  then  there  is  little  hope 
that  the  people  of  the  world  minus  the  impelling 
love  of  God  and  the  consequent  Christlike  love 
of  their  neighbor  will  be  able  to  succeed  in  de- 
mocratizing human  relations  and  governments. 

In  Spite  of  Failure  Ideals  of  Democracy 
Are  Still  the  Goal  of  the  Church 

Up  to  the  present  time  it  is  to  be  feared  that 
the  Christian  democracy  as  shown  in  this  chapter 
has  not  made  a  notable  success  in  the  use  of  the 
principles  of  democracy  or  in  the  development 
of  its  spirit  in  the  lives  of  its  members.  It  is 
still  a  hope  and  a  possibility,  but  not  yet  an 
actuality  in  the  lives  of  Christian  people  organized 


74   DEMOCKACY  AND  THE  CHUECH 

in  local  churches  and  then  in  communions.  The 
ideals  of  democracy  are  already  seen,  the  desire 
for  democracy  is  very  great  and  its  principles  are 
constantly  being  held  up  for  public  approbation, 
but  in  the  attempt  to  administer  democracy  this 
chapter  would  indicate  that  much  has  yet  to  be 
accomplished  by  the  Church  if  she  would  show 
the  world  the  real  value  of  democracy.  How 
can  this  be  done  efficiently  is  the  next  question 
we  must  face. 

In  the  past  the  organized  groups  of  believers 
have  strenuously  resented  criticism  even  when  it 
was  constructive  and  kindly,  but  that  era  has 
passed. 

To-day  the  Church  faces  its  task  in  the  world 
with  the  desire  to  know  what  must  be  attempted 
and  then  to  find  the  most  efficient  ways  of  doing 
its  work  to  the  best  advantage  of  all  concerned. 
It  invites  criticism  that  is  constructive  and  will 
lead  to  the  discovery  of  failure. 

Statistics 

Church  statistics  have  always  been  accepted 
with  a  measure  of  doubt  because  too  often  they 
were  gathered  hastily  and  without  the  coopera- 
tion of  scientific  help. 

Whatever  doubt  may  be  cast  upon  church  sta- 
tistics it  is  impossible  to  cast  discredit  upon  the 


DEMOCRACY  AND  INEFFIENCY      75 

law  of  averages    which    is    found   in   successful 
operation  in  every  sphere  of  human  endeavor. 

Church  life  furnishes  ample  proof  of  the  ef- 
ficiency and  reliability  of  this  law  of  averages,  so 
it  is  to  be  hoped  that  whatever  tabulation  of  facts 
found  in  this  and  other  chapters  will  be  judged 
by  the  law  of  averages  rather  than  upon  the  basis 
of  their  being  «♦  just  church  statistics/' 


ANALYSIS— CHAPTER  IV 

DEMOCRACY  AND  DISCIPLINE 

1.  A  product  of  Democracy. 

2.  The  mark  of  power  in  a  believer. 

3.  Surrendered  individualism. 

4.  Punishment  and  discipline. 

5.  Discipline  essential. 

6.  Some  definitions. 

7.  Discipline  and  disciple. 

8.  Our  definition  of  Christian  Democracy. 

9.  A  study  of  discipline  : 

(i)  What  prevents  and  destroys  discipline: 
(/?)  Improper  public  opinion. 
(^)   Class  distinctions, 
(f)  Lack  of  organization. 
(</)  Untrained  leaders. 
(^)  Failure  of  authority  from  fear  of  criticism. 

(2)  What  will  create  discipline : 
(a)   Nurture  and  culture. 
(S)   Adequate  leadership. 
(r)  Education  and  oversight. 
(<f)  A  world  task. 

(f)  Submission  to  God  : 

f  a)  Prayer,     (b)  Service  in  His  name. 

(3)  The  products  of  discipline  : 
(4)  A  spiritual  Church. 
(if)  A  serving  Church, 
(f)  A  sacrificing  Church. 

10.     Showing  the  world  the  value  of  Democracy. 


IV 

DEMOCRACY  AND  DISCIPLINE 

A  DISCIPLINED  individual  unit  is  one 
of  the  finest  products  of  a  true  democ- 
racy. The  discipHne  is  the  result  of  a 
nurture  and  culture  that  produces  an  interde- 
pendent being  whose  powers  and  possessions  are 
used  in  neighborly  love  for  the  service  and  good 
of  others.  Unregulated,  uncontrolled,  and  even 
misdirected  individual  units  in  any  democracy 
are  a  continual  menace  and  will  constantly  tend 
to  grow  worse.  In  the  world  about  us  insanity, 
idiocy,  subnormality,  outlawry,  ignorance,  dis- 
ease, and  death,  are  part  of  the  price  paid  for  a 
lack  of  discipline  in  the  life. 

The  Mark  of  Power  in  a  Believer 
In  any  group  of  believers  the  mark  of  the 
Christian  power  and  graces  should  be  a  disciplined 
body,  mind  and  soul.  To  serve  Christ  is  to  have 
surrendered  self.  To  be  part  of  the  Christian 
democracy  is  to  have  reached  the  place  where 
individualism  has  been  merged  into  interdepend- 
ence and  therefore  self-will,  like  or  dislike,  self- 
77 


78  DEMOCEACY  AND  THE  CHUECH 

ishness  and  wrong  self-seeking  are  vigorously 
excluded  in  every  possible  way  from  the  rela- 
tions sustained  towards  fellow  members  and  God. 
This  is  not  easy  in  any  life.  Christ  never  prom- 
ised ease  to  His  followers,  but  plainly  warned 
them  of  cross  bearing  and  sacrifice;  but  ultimate 
victory  was  also  promised.  To  live  this  Christ 
life  the  redemptive  work  of  divine  grace  must 
have  begun  in  the  hfe  through  being  born  again, 
then  there  will  of  necessity  be  required  a  soul 
and  body  that  is  disciplined.  In  such  a  life 
attitudes  are  first  of  all  more  important  than  in- 
formation, and  habits  must  often  precede  princi- 
ples. To  illustrate :  A  child  must  be  taught  to 
reverence  and  love  God  long  before  much  infor- 
mation concerning  Him  is  given  and  a  habit  is 
formed  in  the  child  life  long  before  the  mind  of 
the  little  one  is  capable  even  of  comprehending 
the  principles  that  lie  behind  the  necessity  for 
the  habit.  That  beautiful  habit  of  childhood, 
prayer,  is  an  example. 

Surrendered  Individualism 

It  is  a  striking  fact  that  a  surrendered  indi- 
vidualism, disciplined  after  divine  redemptive 
processes  have  begun,  is  the  one  great  source  of 
the  strength  essential  to  a  good  thoroughgoing 
democracy.      That  source  of  strength  is  indi- 


DEMOCEACY  AND  DISCIPLINE       79 

viduality  of  a  commanding  type.  Scripture  is 
once  more  vindicated  in  its  statement  that  to  lose 
a  life  for  Christ's  sake  is  to  save  it.  Discipline 
and  surrendered  individualism  have  much  in 
common. 

Punishment  and  Discipline 
Punishment  and  discipline  are  quite  different 
and  must  not  be  confused  even  when  punishment 
is  understood  to  be  corrective  and  not  punitive. 
A  disciplined  body  or  soul  is  one  under  control 
of  the  mind  and  spiritual  power  in  the  life.  The 
control  is  exercised  for  the  highest  good  of  what- 
ever or  whoever  is  concerned  and  it  is  exercised 
as  the  will  of  the  disciplined  individual.  It  in- 
cludes both  positive  and  negative  attitudes.  It 
is  not  the  result  primarily  of  force  outside  but  of 
power  within. 

Discipline  Essential 
Discipline  is  essential  to  any  democracy  and  it 
can  only  be  the  product  of  nurture  and  culture. 
Not  even  divine  grace  can  do  more  than  sow  the 
seed  of  it.  It  is  not  a  thing  of  momentary  growth, 
but  the  product  of  time,  energy  and  concentra- 
tion and  also  of  self-sacrifice.  In  the  life  of  a 
Christian  it  is  furthermore  the  product  of  love 
for  God  and  the  constant  ministry  of  divine  grace 
in  the   human  heart  and  life.     Yet  it  must  be 


80  DEMOCRACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

pointed  out  here  that  an  individual  of  clear  vision 
would  seek  discipline  from  self-interest  in  order 
to  get  the  most  and  best  in  life.  Of  course  even 
then  the  cost  of  it  must  be  paid  in  thorough  sur- 
render. 

Some  Definitions 

The  dictionary  definitions  of  the  vi^ord  disci- 
pHne  are  interesting.  Here  are  several :  "  Culti- 
vation and  improvement  comprehending  instruc- 
tion in  correct  sentiments,  morals,  manners  and 
due  subordination  to  authority,"  "  subjection  to 
laws,  rules,  order,  precepts  or  regulations  as, '  the 
troops  are  under  excellent  discipline.' "  From 
these  definitions  it  will  be  seen  that  the  word 
disciple  and  discipline  are  of  common  origin  and 
meaning.  Two  verses  of  Scripture  considered 
here  will  relate  our  whole  discussion  of  democ- 
racy to  the  intent  and  heart  of  all  God's  plan  for 
His  people.  "  Go  ye  unto  all  the  world  and  dis- 
ciple all  nations  teaching  them  to  observe  all 
things  that  I  have  said  unto  you "  and  "  That 
the  trial  of  your  faith  which  is  much  more  pre- 
cious than  gold  which  perisheth  though  it  be  tried 
by  fire  might  be  found  worthy  of  honor  and 
glory  and  praise  at  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ."  Thus  we  are  led  to  see  that  our  study 
of  the  ideal  democracy  brings  us  to  the  place 
where  the  essential  element  in  that  democracy  is 


DEMOCEACY  AND  DISCIPLINE       81 

found  to  be  the  sort  of  person  God  had  in  mind 
in  His  plan  for  the  world's  redemption  when  He 
told  His  people  to  go  and  seek  in  the  world  the 
unredeemed  and  then  in  the  language  of  the 
apostle  just  quoted,  prove  their  faith  by  trial. 

Our  Definition  of  a  Christian  Democracy 
But  once  again  let  us  remind  ourselves  of  the 
definition  of  Christian  democracy  given  in  chap- 
ter one.  "  A  Christian  democracy  is  a  brother- 
hood of  the  followers  of  Jesus  Christ  who  have 
voluntarily  associated  themselves  together  in  a 
spirit  of  fraternity  and  equality  for  the  purposes 
of  nurture,  culture  and  the  development  of  a 
similar  spirit  throughout  the  world."  This  seems 
to  add  the  one  essential  element  lacking  in  the 
dictionary  definition  of  discipline  when  it  adds 
the  idea  of  projection  by  love  and  power  and 
without  force  to  the  ideas  of  nurture  and  culture 
in  the  production  of  a  democracy  of  discipline. 
A  Christian  democracy  is  but  a  body  of  well  dis- 
ciplined children  of  God.  Democracy  subor- 
dinates things  to  people  and  the  Christian  de- 
mocracy subordinates  everything  to  the  great 
Person,  Christ. 

A  Study  of  Discipline 
Let  us  conclude  this  discussion  of  the  Chris- 


82  DEMOCRACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

tian  democracy,  therefore,  by  a  concise  study 
of  three  things  in  connection  with  discipHne. 
While  we  have  already  discussed  the  relation  of 
discipline  to  the  efficiency  of  the  Church  we  now 
face  the  matter  again  from  another  point  of  view. 

What  Prevents  and  Destroys  Discipline  ? 

First,  what  prevents  and  destroys  discipHne  ? 
Discipline  is  essential  to  the  well-being  of  democ- 
racy. Without  obtruding  the  obvious  we  will 
begin  by  mentioning  improper  public  opinion. 

Public  Opinion. 

The  place  of  public  opinion  is  important  in  a 
democracy.  Many  times  it  is  but  the  behest  of" 
the  slacker,  the  parasite  and  the  lawbreaker. 
Certain  types  of  public  opinion  are  often  used 
for  purposes  of  sinister  control  for  personal 
ends.  That  is  autocracy  in  its  last  analysis. 
The  will  of  all  the  people  is  not  to  be  expressed 
by  an  intangible  pubhc  opinion,  but  by  a  public 
opinion  which  expresses  itself  in  a  vote.  Public 
opinion  of  the  harmful  type  is  largely  intangible, 
invisible  and  insidious,  but  a  public  vote  is  just 
the  reverse.  The  Church  must  not  be  controlled 
by  a  harmful  public  opinion  but  by  the  proper 
pubhc  expressions  of  its  disciplined  individual 
units.  Improper  public  opinion  destroys  dis- 
cipHne. 


DEMOCRACY  AND  DISCIPLINE       83 

Class  Distinctions. 

Class  distinctions  are  decidedly  dangerous  to 
discipline.  To  raise  a  ministerial  group  as 
against  a  lay  group  is  the  height  of  folly.  Such 
groups  have  their  place  on  the  surface  just  as 
there  is  a  place  in  the  national  life  for  a  democrat 
or  republican,  provided  they  are  true  Americans 
first  of  all.  But  to  be  party  politicians  in  the 
face  of  the  real  interests  of  the  country,  is  to  be- 
tray ourselves.  So  to  preserve  a  sex  distinction 
or  a  class  difference  to  the  destruction  of  effi- 
ciency and  justice  is  to  destroy  both  discipline 
and  the  democracy  in  the  Church.  To  entrench 
an  official  class  for  hfe  with  inherent  official 
powers  of  great  reach  is  ultimately  to  destroy 
discipline  even  in  the  Christian  democracy. 
And  when  those  high  officials  grow  out  of  a 
union  of  Church  and  State  and  the  individual 
units  have  no  voice  in  the  selection  or  removal 
of  them  it  is  no  wonder  that  the  Church  becomes 
the  poisoned  honey  on  the  breath  of  a  terrible 
autocracy. 

Lack  of  Organization. 

Lack  of  organization  or  a  plethora  of  disorgan- 
ization precludes  discipline.  Organization  is  for 
the  purpose  of  using  all  the  inherent  parts  of 
any  unit  in  the  most  efficacious  and  productive 


84   DEMOCRACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

manner,  while  preserving  the  essential  spirit  of 
the  unified  whole.  The  Church  is  either  un- 
organized or  disorganized  by  a  maximum  of 
segmentary  organizations  that  have  no  organic 
relation  to  the  whole.  This  accounts  for  much 
of  its  loss  of  power  and  discipline. 

Untrained  Leaders. 

Failure  to  raise  up  a  body  of  trained  lead- 
ers out  of  the  unit  is  to  produce  an  undis- 
ciplined mob.  A  disciplined  unit  can  only  be 
produced  by  a  trained  lay  leadership  secured  by 
adequate  nurture  and  culture  from  among  the 
whole  and  then  set  to  the  task  of  propagating  the 
essential  elements  of  their  disciphne  among  all 
the  body.  The  less  distance  and  the  more  com- 
petency there  is  among  all  the  elements  in  the 
democracy  the  better  will  be  the  discipline  in  the 
Church. 

Failure  of  Authority  from  Fear  of  Criticism. 

Finally  in  this  connection  it  is  necessary  to 
mention  that  an  absence  of  authority  to  proclaim 
and  enforce  adequate  standards  will  destroy  dis- 
cipline and  produce  the  destruction  of  the  de- 
mocracy. Fear  of  criticism  on  the  part  of 
leaders  is  often  at  the  bottom  of  this  factor. 
Fear  of  criticism  on  the  part  of  leaders  is  a  con- 


DEMOCRACY  AND  DISCIPLINE       85 

fession  of  failure  and  weakness.  For  years  the 
Christian  democracy  has  been  halted  because  of 
it.  For  instance,  fear  of  criticism  has  made  them 
afraid  to  spend  adequate  sums  of  money  in  order 
to  produce  a  corresponding  increase  in  resources. 
A  great  missionary  leader  has  just  put  this  de- 
structive spirit  to  flight  in  the  Methodist  Church 
and  at  the  same  time  a  Baptist  layman  attacked 
a  similar  evil  spirit  in  his  communion.  The  Lord 
raise  up  many  more  such  leaders !  Fear  of 
criticism  has  caused  a  multitude  of  church  officers 
to  fail  in  the  ordinary  regulation  of  the  sur- 
rendered individuals  until  now  it  is  almost  the 
exception  rather  than  the  rule  for  a  church  mem- 
ber to  consider  he  has  any  obligation  to  conform 
to  the  simple  fundamental  requirements  concern- 
ing worship,  service  or  giving.  In  consequence 
discipline  is  destroyed  and  therefore  the  Chris- 
tian democracy  often  looks  like  a  group  of  self- 
regulated  autocrats. 

IVkat  Will  Create  Discipliyie  ? 
Now  consider  what  are  the  elements  needed 
to  create  a  sense  of  discipHne. 

Nurture  and  Culture. 

Nurture  first  of  all :  and  proper  nurture  even 
precedes  birth.     Then  should  follow  an  adequate 


86   DEMOCRACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

education  that  gives  both  mental  discipHne  and 
moral  and  spiritual  values  so  as  to  produce  cul- 
ture. Not  Kultur!  That  is  mental,  but  lacks 
soul  and  interdependence.  There  is  a  culture 
that  is  not  culture  but  is  cult.  We  must  never 
forget  that  there  can  be  no  real  culture  apart 
from  God  and  spirituality.  That  culture  inevi- 
tably produces  discipline  and  makes  democracy 
safe  anywhere  in  the  world. 

Adequate  Leadership. 

These  twin  needs  for  nurture  and  culture  will 
of  course  necessitate  adequate  professional  but 
brotherly  democratic  leadership  as  well  as  a  large 
amount  of  trained  lay  leadership  properly  utilized, 
in  adequate  processes  touching  every  department 
of  the  Christian  democracy  in  a  unified  plan. 

Education  and  Oversight. 

The  checking  of  delinquency  must  be  at- 
tended to,  but  of  more  importance  is  the  pre- 
vention of  delinquency  by  proper  teaching  at 
the  proper  time.  Democracy  recognizes  a  dif- 
ference between  essentials  and  non-essentials. 
For  instance,  in  America  to-day  you  can  dye 
your  hair  or  rouge  your  face  if  you  are  foolish 
enough  to  do  so,  but  you  cannot  use  any  mor- 


DEMOCEACY  AND  DISCIPLINE        87 

phine.  Preventing  the  use  of  the  last  named 
drug  is  essential  to  public  welfare  and  private 
good,  while  the  freedom  to  use  the  dye  or  rouge 
is  a  matter  non-essential  to  all  but  good  taste. 
Oversight  is  very  essential  to  good  discipline. 
What  is  everybody's  business  is  nobody's.  Those 
charged  with  the  oversight  must  be  closely 
answerable  to  their  constituency.  Nor  must  it 
be  forgotten  that  the  standards  of  the  officiary 
soon  become  the  standards  of  the  whole  body. 
It  has  often  been  said  that  a  good,  well  loved 
pastor  can  do  what  he  wants  with  his  member- 
ship ;  but  whether  or  not  that  is  altogether  true 
I  know  that  a  poorly  chosen,  covetous,  lazy  board 
of  deacons  can  speedily  destroy  all  sense  of  dis- 
cipline in  any  Christian  democracy.  So  to  create 
and  preserve  discipline,  let  me  repeat,  we  must 
have  proper  oversight  by  trained  lay  and  pro- 
fessional leaders. 

A  World  Task. 

A  world  task  produces  a  fine  sense  of  disci- 
pline. The  largeness  of  Christ's  objective  is  a 
tremendous  spur  to  any  well-nurtured  soul  and 
develops  in  their  soul  and  mind  a  species  of 
world  culture  that  is  enlarging  and  ennobling  as 
well  as  giving  a  spirit  of  heroic  venture  to  all  the 
plans  of  the  life.     Is  the  missionary  principle  as 


88      DEMOCKACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

set  forth  in  the  Bible  one  that  is  left  to  the  voli- 
tion of  the  individual  ?  Or  is  it  mandatory  ?  If 
mandatory  and  essential  should  it  not  be  funda- 
mental in  the  teaching,  planning  and  projection 
of  the  Church?  Should  it  not  be  absolutely 
divorced  from  all  idea  of  money  raising  ?  The 
cause  is  love  to  God,  the  effect  is  obedience  to 
God's  world  aims,  hence  the  production  of  money 
as  one  of  the  necessary  effects.  A  Christian 
democracy  that  is  not  intensely  interested  in 
producing  other  similar  democracies  when  needed 
has  failed  to  catch  the  true  spirit  of  Christ  and 
deserves  to  perish.  This  enterprise  of  the  Church 
when  properly  laid  on  the  hearts  of  each  indi- 
vidual produces  a  disciplined  life  by  the  very 
breadth  of  its  vision,  which  calls  even  for  heroic 
giving  and  service  in  order  to  attain  to  its 
objective. 

Submission  to  God. 

Last  but  not  least  is  this  connection.  Let  us 
note  the  urgent  need  of  an  adequate  submission 
by  each  individual  to  the  God  and  Father  of 
us  all. 

Prayer 

Nothing  will  produce  a  disciplined  life  without 
proper  standards  of  a  prayer  life.     It  is  the  key 


DEMOCRACY  AND  DISCIPLINE       89 

to  every  other  surrender  which  the  hfe  has  to 
make.  Without  it  all  others  will  not  avail  much. 
With  it  put  into  the  first  place  all  other  elements 
in  a  life  properly  disciplined  will  be  seen  to  owe 
their  power  to  prayer  being  first.  Prayer  has 
three  great  phases.  Communion,  where  one  lets 
God  talk  to  him.  Petition,  where  the  soul  talks 
with  God,  and  then  intercession  where  the  soul 
seeks  God  for  the  blessing  and  saving  of  others. 
Prayer  is  a  divine  principle  and  must  become  a 
human  practice  in  a  well-disciplined  life.  Divine 
principles  never  change,  only  they  find  new  and 
varied  expression  in  a  changing  world.  To  make 
the  Christian  democracy  ideal  we  must  first  of  all 
have  individual  units  who  submit  themselves  to 
God  and  then  to  their  fellow  believers  in  God's 
name  for  all  His  purposes. 

Service  in  His  Name 
The  tasks  of  democracy  are  quite  essential  to 
its  well-being  and  safety.  All  the  tasks  can  be 
put  into  two  phases.  Producing  a  set  of  disci- 
plined units  in  order  to  give  to  all  peoples  the 
Word  of  God  and  the  spirit  of  Christ.  This  is 
to  be  done  by  self-sacrifice  and  self-elimination 
that  the  whole  world  may  share  equally  with  you 
your  blessings,  privileges  and  duties. 


90   DEMOCEACY  AND  THE  CHURCH 

Products  of  Discipline. 

Now  we  need  in  closing  to  show  the  products 
of  discipline.  They  will  be  both  democratic  and 
individual.  The  former  because  of  the  latter. 
The  latter  will  be  the  result  of  the  former. 
Briefly  these  products  of  discipline  can  be  summed 
up  as  follows : 

A  Spiritual  Church. — The  membership  wor- 
shipping God  and  at  prayer  securing  power  and 
unity. 

A  Serving  Church. — A  church  at  work  with 
God  using  the  power  to  impress  its  unity  upon  a 
world  of  individuals  lost,  alone,  yes  sheep  with- 
out a  sheepfold  or  shepherd.  But  they  will 
provide  in  God's  name  a  fold  by  first  producing 
the  Shepherd. 

A  Sacrificing  Church. — A  church  made  up  of 
God's  partners,  victorious  in  spirit,  sacrificing  in 
all  their  worship  and  service,  therefore  ready  for 
the  coming  of  the  King,  hence  ready  for  what- 
ever comes. 

Showing  the  World  the  Value  of 
Democracy 

These  products  of  Christian  discipline  will 
help  the  Christian  democracy  to  show  its  ideal 
nature  to  the  world  and  then  the  world  will  see 
in  the  Church  a  pattern  for  democracy  and  in 


DEMOCEACY  AND  DISCIPLINE       91 

the  search  for  democracy  many  will  find  Christ. 
The  hope  for  world  democracy  rests  in  the  uni- 
fying power  of  Christ's  love  and  in  Christian 
brotherhood,  produced  by  fatherhood  in  God, 
and  resulting  in  loving  service. 


Printed  in  the  United  States  of  America 


